On March 17, 2025, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, made a striking statement during a media chat in Awka, asserting that the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not directly tied to resolving the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s Southeast region. Speaking as part of celebrations marking his third year in office, Soludo emphasized a clear distinction between Kanu’s detention and the region’s security woes, challenging the popular narrative that freeing the IPOB leader would automatically restore peace. This position, delivered on the eve of his administration’s latest milestone, has reignited debates over the root causes of unrest in the Southeast as of March 18, 2025.
Soludo’s Stance: A Separation of Issues
Governor Soludo’s remarks came during a reflective address where he outlined his administration’s achievements and future plans. “The release of Nnamdi Kanu, for me, is different from the issue of security,” he stated firmly. “I separate the two; I don’t link the two.” This perspective contrasts with calls from various quarters—politicians, activists, and community leaders—who have argued that Kanu’s freedom could de-escalate tensions and curb the violence attributed to IPOB and its offshoots. Soludo, however, sees the insecurity as a broader, more complex problem not solely hinged on Kanu’s incarceration.
Kanu, arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria in June 2021, has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) facing charges of treasonable felony. His detention has been a flashpoint for unrest in the Southeast, with IPOB enforcing sit-at-home orders and clashing with security forces. Yet, Soludo’s position suggests that the dynamics driving the region’s instability extend beyond Kanu’s influence or the Biafran agitation he champions.
Criminality vs. Liberation: A Shift in Narrative
Central to Soludo’s argument is the notion that the insecurity in the Southeast has been hijacked by criminal elements operating under the guise of the Biafran struggle. He has previously described these groups as “organized criminal gangs” motivated by profit rather than ideology, a view he reiterated during the media chat. “What we’re dealing with now is criminality that has taken on a life of its own,” he explained, distancing it from the original IPOB agenda. This echoes his December 2024 press briefing where he noted that over 99% of criminals arrested in Anambra in the past two years were Igbo, with more than 70% being non-indigenes of the state, suggesting a regional crime network rather than a localized liberation movement.
Soludo pointed out that both Kanu and IPOB have publicly disavowed these criminal acts, such as kidnappings and armed robberies, which have terrorized communities. “Even if Nnamdi Kanu is released today, I’m not sure these elements would listen to him,” he added, underscoring his belief that the perpetrators have shifted their focus to wealth accumulation rather than the separatist cause. This stance challenges the assumption that Kanu’s authority could rein in the violence, painting a picture of a fragmented crisis beyond one man’s control.
A Call for Collective Action
While distancing Kanu’s release from security solutions, Soludo emphasized a multi-pronged approach to tackle the region’s challenges. He highlighted his administration’s upcoming “Operation Udo Ga Chi” (Operation Peace Shall Reign), set to launch post-January 25, 2025, as a comprehensive strategy involving advanced surveillance, forest guards, and community cooperation. “We’re intensifying our measures with both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches,” he said, urging religious leaders, traditional rulers, and residents to collaborate with security agencies.
Soludo’s frustration with community complicity was palpable. “Our people know these criminals—they’re our brothers, cousins, neighbors,” he lamented, citing instances where locals sustain forest-dwelling gangs with food. He questioned the paradox: “How do you fight insecurity when people see criminals as heroes and police as enemies?” This call for collective responsibility underscores his belief that the solution lies in grassroots action, not solely in symbolic gestures like Kanu’s release.
A History of Advocacy Meets Pragmatism
Soludo’s position might surprise some, given his past advocacy for Kanu’s freedom. In 2022, he visited the IPOB leader in DSS custody, offering to stand as surety for his bail, and has consistently urged the federal government to engage Kanu in dialogue. In January 2025, his administration, via Information Commissioner Law Mefor, refuted claims of reluctance, affirming Soludo’s commitment to Kanu’s release as a peace-building measure. Yet, his March 17 statement reflects a pragmatic shift—acknowledging Kanu’s potential role in negotiations while doubting its immediate impact on security.
This duality has drawn scrutiny. Critics, including IPOB, have accused Soludo of backtracking. In December 2024, IPOB’s Emma Powerful challenged Soludo’s skepticism, asserting that Kanu’s release would end insecurity within two weeks, even staking the group’s existence on it. Soludo, however, appears unmoved, framing his stance as a realistic assessment rather than opposition to Kanu’s freedom.
The Southeast Context
The Southeast’s insecurity—marked by kidnappings, killings, and economic disruption—has defied simple solutions. The region’s woes predate Kanu’s detention, with issues like herdsmen attacks and communal clashes festering for years. IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN), formed to counter such threats, has been linked to violence, though the group denies orchestrating criminal acts. Meanwhile, splinter groups and opportunists have muddied the waters, exploiting the Biafran banner for personal gain.
Soludo’s view aligns with a growing sentiment that the crisis has evolved beyond its ideological roots. His reference to Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based agitator claiming IPOB leadership, as a “swindler” further illustrates his disdain for those he believes exploit the struggle for profit rather than progress.
Reactions and Implications
The governor’s remarks have polarized opinions. Supporters laud his candor, seeing it as a call to address root causes—poverty, unemployment, and community complicity—over quick fixes. On X, some users echo his separation of Kanu’s fate from security, arguing that criminality requires a distinct response. Critics, however, view it as a dodge, accusing Soludo of deflecting federal responsibility. IPOB and its allies insist Kanu’s release is a litmus test, with one faction daring the government to “call their bluff” and expose the true culprits.
Politically, Soludo’s stance could bolster his re-election bid by projecting strength and independence, though it risks alienating pro-Kanu factions. Nationally, it pressures President Tinubu’s administration, which has faced calls from figures like Bianca Ojukwu to free Kanu as a peace gesture, to rethink its strategy in the Southeast.
Looking Forward
As “Operation Udo Ga Chi” looms, Soludo’s focus remains on actionable security measures over symbolic wins. Whether Kanu’s release—still a distant prospect given his ongoing trial—would shift the tide remains speculative. For now, Soludo’s disconnecting of the two issues reframes the Southeast’s insecurity as a multifaceted beast, one that demands more than a single key to unlock peace. As April nears, with eyes on his administration’s next moves, Rivers State’s parallel crises only amplify the urgency for Nigeria’s leaders to find lasting solutions—Kanu or not.
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