The embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has called on the European Union, EU, and United States, US, to conduct an impartial investigation into state sponsored insecurity in the Southeast.

Kanu made the call during a meeting with his legal team to address Nigerian government’s alleged attempts to manipulate public opinion ahead of his trial on April 29, 2025.

He highlighted concerns over deliberate efforts to falsely link IPOB members to fabricated raids in Imo and Anambra States.

In a post by his Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu described these raids as state-sponsored tactics to deflect attention from global campaigns for his release.

According to Ejimakor: “Today, April 23, 2025, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu met with his legal team to address the Nigerian government’s alleged attempts to manipulate public opinion ahead of his trial on April 29, 2025.

“Onyendu MNK highlighted concerns over deliberate efforts to falsely link the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to fabricated raids in Imo and Anambra, describing these as state-sponsored tactics to deflect attention from global campaigns for his release.

“In response, Kanu has instructed his lawyers to formally engage the United States and the European Union to conduct an impartial investigation into the wave of state-sponsored insecurity in Southeast Nigeria. We remain committed to truth and justice. #FreeNnamdiKanu.”

This comes as IPOB described the reports claiming that the Finnish government will extradite self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa to Nigeria to face terrorism charges as a manipulation ahead of Kanu’s trial.

IPOB claimed that the APC-led federal government’s manipulated false narrative was ill-timed, adding that Ekpa is not a member of the group.

It was widely reported that the Finnish authorities had confirmed that Ekpa will be extradited to Nigeria in July 2025 to face terrorism related charges.

The decision was said to have followed months of diplomatic negotiations and legal proceedings between Nigeria and Finland, marking a significant step in addressing the unrest linked to Ekpa’s activities in Nigeria’s southeast.

Ekpa was arrested in Lahti, Finland, in November 2024 by the Finish Police who accused him of using social media platforms to incite violence against Nigerians. Four others were also detained for allegedly financing his activities alongside Ekpa.

The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti finalized the extradition order on April 18, 2025, setting July 15 as the tentative date for Ekpa’s transfer to Nigeria.

Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation has sparked reactions online after sharing a photo of his mother to celebrate her 97th birthday.

Ogonogo ndu na ihu isi ike ka anyi nayo

The Russian Federation on Wednesday lauded the Nigerian government for supporting the United Nations UN’s adoption of a resolution to combat the glorification of Nazism.

Ambassador Andrey Podyolyshev of the Russian Federation Embassy in Nigeria made the expression during a photo exhibition in Abuja to commemorate the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War.

NAN reports that the war of about 80 years ago, which refers to the Soviet struggle against Nazi Germany during World War II, has been described as the deadliest in human history.

The war reportedly claimed millions of lives.

The exhibition by Podyolyshev was dedicated to remembering the victims of the Second World War, and ro mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.

It was also aimed at promoting awareness about the dangers associated with the war and the Great Patriotic War.

Podyolyshev expressed his gratitude to Nigeria, stating, “I would like to thank Nigeria for supporting Russia in the UN’s resolution combating the glorification of Nazism.”

He highlighted that during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Nigeria voted in favour of the resolution to combat practices contributing to contemporary forms of racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance.

He further emphasised, “We truly appreciate Nigeria’s cooperation, and we look forward to continued collaboration on international matters, especially within the United Nations.”

Podyolyshev also noted Nigeria’s recent partnership with BRICS, expressing confidence in the potential for further cooperation.