The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of maltreating and starving its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in their custody for three days consecutively.
In a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB said it wished to place the world on notice over the continued maltreatment and humiliation of Kanu in DSS custody.
The group further called on the Nigerian government to stop violating rights of the IPOB leader at the DSS custody by taking him to Kuje prison or any other correctional centre, where suspects awaiting trails are kept.
The statement read, “We are the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to place the world on notice over the continued maltreatment and humiliation of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, custody Abuja.
“The evil and compromised Nigeria DSS security agent has decided to use starvation and hunger strategy to eliminate our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the custody. They have continued to confine him to a solitary cell under harsh conditions since his rendition to Nigeria in June. Solitary confinement is not correctional centers. They should send him to Kuje Prison, pending his court dates.
“They are asking the Nigeria government and security agencies that is busy granting and releasing bandits and real terrorists everyday to transfer our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to a Nigerian prison/Correctional Centre, where persons awaiting trial are kept.
“Nothing should happen to our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in detention. Nigerian DSS has denied our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, food since three to four days now.
“The whole world should take note of these atrocities and torture being meted out against our innocent Leader. Amnesty International, and other human rights groups should take note. American government; Israeli government; Canadian government; German government; and, other Western and civilised countries in the UK and Europe, should prevail on Nigerian DSS to stop starving and torturing our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. His rights should not be violated any more.
“Nigeria should take our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to prison custody and stop violating his rights at the DSS cell.”
This comes a few days after Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, and his brother, Prince Kanu, cried out that the separatist leader was denied food, medical care, change of clothes and other provisions ordered by the court.