Nnamdi Kanu, Radio Biafra Director Abandoned By British Government

[ Masterweb Reports ] - Masterweb News Desk, concerned about the silence of the British government over the arrest and detention of one of their citizens, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, Director of London based Radio Biafra by Nigeria Department of State Services (DSS) made a phone call to the British High Commission in Abuja. Our call was directed to the Emergency Center of British Foreign Office in London since we had called after office hours. An official named Emmy Hawo who answered the phone told our News Desk she could help us with any question regarding their High Commissions and British citizens abroad.


When Masterweb asked Ms. Hawo what the British government had done for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a British citizen and director of London based Radio Biafra. She asked: "Who is that and can you spell the last word of the radio station?" Our News Desk reporter responded: "The radio station is Radio Biafra and the last word is spelt B-I-A-F-R-A. So you haven't heard the word Biafra before nor the arrest of Radio Biafra operator, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu in Nigeria that has caused massive demonstrations in Nigeria and all over the world?" To this question Hawo replied "No."

Our reporter explained to Hawo that Nnamdi Kanu was in mid October this year arrested in Nigeria by the country's secret police (DSS), charged to court where he was granted bail and still remains in DSS custody after meeting all bail conditions. Hawo responded: "The only consulate assistance we can offer to British citizens held abroad is to call the arresting local police to check on their welfare. In Nnamdi Kanu's case, I am quite sure our mission in Nigeria has made calls to check on his well-being. The assistance we can offer him is limited; we cannot demand his release, he is detained under the laws of Nigeria. It is the responsibility of his lawyer to do all that is within the local laws to seek his release."  

The only effort made in Britain for the release of Kanu is a letter written to the British government by Harriet Harman, member of British parliament representing Camberwell and Peckham of which so far has not yielded any result. The letter dated October 22, 2015, addressed to Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs titled "Detention of my constituent Mr. Nnamdi Kanu" read as follows:

“I understand that Mr Nnamdi Kanu, who I am told is a British citizen and lives at …was arrested on the 17th October 2015 by the Nigerian Department of Security Services (DSS) when arriving in Lagos from the United Kingdom.

“I understand Nnamdi is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who are agitating for the independence of Nigeria’s former Eastern Region. I’m told that the pro-Biafra group are non-violent and therefore should be afforded protection under Article 1 of the charter of the United Nations.

“I’d be grateful if you could let me know your understanding of what Nnamdi has been arrested for,what he might be charged with, where he has been held and what consular engagement there has been.