Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has advised the Federal Government to ensure rule of law and due process is followed in Kalu’s prosecution.

He said conscientious effort must be made by the Federal Government to allay the fear of some Nigerians that Kanu is not being prosecuted because he comes from a particular section of the country.

Wike, who made this assertion during a television interview, explained that irrespective of the differences the arrested IPOB leader has with Rivers State government, due process must be followed in his prosecution. 

He stated that for the Federal Government to demonstrate its resolve to address insecurity crisis facing the country, the same dragnet deployed to arrest Kanu must, as a matter of urgency, be extended to bandits and Miyetti Allah militias terrorising the country.

“We must not make hullabaloo about the prosecution of Kanu. I don’t agree with his principle. I have come out and said  you (Kanu) cannot annex my State to be your own. But that does not mean that you’ll not allow the law to take its course.”

The governor insisted that government must arrest every wanted terrorist on its watchlist and ensure they are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law. 

“You cannot say because Kanu is from a particular area, let us prosecute him. The same thing must apply to all other people, the bandits, Miyetti Allah.”

Similarly, Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom urged the Federal Government to zealously arrest leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore (MAKH) same way it arrested the Biafran freedom fighter.

“If the Federal Government has demonstrated capacity to arrest Kanu, they should also exhibit the same zeal, will and decision to arrest Fulani herdsmen terrorising our state and country.

“Let that be done, they are living here with us. If Nnamdi Kanu can be arrested from a foreign land, I believe that if the Federal Government can exhibit the same will, they will arrest Fulani herdsmen, especially Miyetti Allah who have owned up to the killings in Benue state and have continued to terrorise our land.”

Ortom, who stated this in Makurdi wondered why Miyetti Allah would brand Kanu who is fighting for the liberation of his people a terrorist.

“It is laughable and unfortunate when I heard that Miyetti Allah are calling Kanu a terrorist. Someone who is fighting for the liberation of his people is being called a terrorist by a terrorist organisation called Miyetti Allah and Fulani herdsmen. So, the Federal Government should rise up to its responsibilities and arrest the people.”

The governor, however, noted that the Federal Government, after arresting Kanu, must follow due process to ensure justice.

Sun