Outrage, disbelief as FG labels Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho terrorism sponsors

Nigerians received with shock and disbelief Federal Government’s report, alleging that the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, are responsible for terrorist activities in the South-east and South-west parts of the country.

According to the findings of the Presidential Ad-hoc Committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari, released by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, the two agitators have been implicated for inciting and sponsoring acts of terrorism in the country.

According to Malami: “The committee finds as a fact, that consequent upon the instigating directives of Nnamdi Kanu, members of IPOB/ESN carried out massive attacks on democratic institutions, especially INEC Facilities with a view to hampering democratic process in Nigeria.”

The report detailed that no less than 175 security personnel were killed in the South-east, including 128 police officers, 37 military personnel and 10 other security operatives.

It added that 164 police stations and formations were attacked in Imo State, leading to the injury of 144 police officers and 628 vehicles destroyed.

Malami noted that in the process, 396 firearms and 17,738 ammunition were carted away by the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB and ESN.

Besides police formations, the Nigerian Correctional Service in Imo State was attacked thrice, resulting in the death of one official while 1841 inmates reportedly escaped from custody.

In the same vein, the report disclosed that 19 different attacks were launched against facilities, belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, leading to the burning of 18 logistics vehicles in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Imo states.

“These attacks that were carried out between October 2020 and June 2021 include the following: That acting on the instigating directives of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB members and #EndSARS protesters attacked and killed many security agents, destroyed several public and private properties, including Police stations, public transport buses and other facilities across the country.”

Also, the AGF stated that the investigation revealed that Sunday Igboho is a director and signatory to Adesun International Concept Limited, registered on April 23, 2010.

In addition, he said Igboho was linked to 43 bank accounts in nine banks.

According to the AGF, the major financier of Igboho is a federal lawmaker in the National Assembly.

“A total sum of ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN MILLION, ONE AND FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND NAIRA ONLY (N127, 145,000.00) was received by Igboho from his financiers between 22nd October 2013 and 28th September 2020 through Adesun International Concept Ltd accounts,” he said.

He added that N273, 198,200.00 transaction outflows was recorded from Sunday Igboho’s account between March 15, 2013 and March 11, 2021.

“Investigation reveals that Adesun International Concept Ltd. (belonging to Igboho) transferred the sum of twelve million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N12, 750,000) to Abbal Bako & Sons.

“It might be recalled that Abbal Bako & Sons and its promoter Abdullahi Umar Usman are suspects in the on-going Joint Terrorist Financing Investigation. Abdullahi Umar Usman is by way of financial transaction connected to SURAJO ABUBAKAR MUHAMMAD (who was sentenced to life imprisonment in UAE on charges of financing terrorism [Boko Haram]).

“This report shows the nexus between separatists’ agitation, terrorism financing and disruptions of peace in the country.

“The report found connections of financial transaction between Adesun International Concept Ltd. (belonging to Igboho) and some construction companies and businesses, among others.

“Having received the reports, the Federal Government remains resolute in its determination to have a peaceful Nigeria. The Federal Government will do the needful, within the context of the legal provisions, in ensuring that the matter is given the deserved attention and those found guilty will be made to face the wrath of the law,” Malami vowed.

However, a cross section of Nigerians received the news with disbelief, wondering why the government wants to pull the wool over their eyes.

According to Chiemerie Odinta, “It is interesting that Malami or the Federal Government have decided to name terrorism sponsors. However, they are on the wrong report. Nigerians are still waiting for the names of those he acknowledged have been arrested for the very offence he is alleging against the duo of Kanu and Igboho. When will they act on the list from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)?”

Gbenga Adelakun feels “it is laughable to link Nnamdi Kanu with the burning of the palace of the Oba of Lagos. There were pictures and videos of the attackers and they were definitely non-Igbo; everyone saw them. One guys was pinpointed as an alleged member of a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW. Members of the transport union were angry at the oba for not supporting their faction; for not supporting Lagosians but preferred to support a faction belonging to non-Lagosians. Moreover, the EndSars protest was a spontaneous action, following the shooting of a protester by security agents; Kanu should not be linked to this in any way because he was not involved. They want to call a dog a bad name to hang it.”

Others saw the allegation against Igboho as mere propaganda.

“What is the big deal if money was found in his account,” a lady, who identified herself simply as Bimbo asked. “When did it become a crime to run a company or have the money paid into the account of somebody? It is an outlandish allegation against Igboho. He could have exchanged money or whatever, so what? Have they arrested these Aboki forex dealers on our streets; are they too terrorism sponsors? The allegation that Igboho is a financier of terrorism remains to be proven.”

To Makinwa Osundare, the government is taking Nigerians for a ride. “Do they think Nigerians are daft; or is the government daft to believe that Nigerians can just believe anything they dish out to us?” he asked. “They don’t have a report on herdsmen but on Kanu and Igboho. This country is a funny place. Some people think say na dem get dis country. In fact, I blame the South for whatever rubbish thrown at them because they have refused to unite.”

Michael James thinks that if indeed this allegation is propaganda, as it is being interpreted in some quarters, it has backfired.

He said: “They want to win the sympathy of Nigerians for their selective application of the law. We are all Nigerians. If someone started a business, won’t he make money? Terrorism started in Nigeria via Boko Haram in 1999 but Igbho began his business in 2010, as the AGF said. Who is fooling who? In any case, are we sure that Malami does not even have more than the money he is quoting in his own account; would we be right to say he is sponsoring bandits and herdsmen without proof? Abeg, they should allow us to suffer the ills of their misgovernance in little peace.”