In a statement by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the body said its leader was seen in Jerusalem at the Wailing Wall, where he joined other faithful to offer prayers.
The group’s statement read in part, “Fellow Biafrans, friends of Biafra, enemies of Biafra, men and women of goodwill and of good conscience across the world, we wish to reliably inform you that the Supreme Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, prayed today at the Wailing Wall in the Holy City of David in Jerusalem Live today, October 19, 2018.
“Biafrans, be resolute, this is the beginning of the struggle for Biafra’s independence. We thank God, Almighty God, for his protection and safety.”
Kanu had been missing since September 14, 2017, when some soldiers allegedly invaded his house in Afara Ukwu in Umuahia, Abia State, during a military exercise in the South-East titled, ‘Operation Python Dance ll’. The whereabouts of Kanu and his parents had remained unknown since then.
IPOB had accused the military of whisking its leader and his parents away, urging the Federal Government to produce them. Kanu is facing trial for treason in Nigeria. A video of the leader of the separatist Igbo group performing Jewish prayer rights trended online on Friday.
His younger brother, Emmanuel, said the family received the news through an online video shared by one Castro Nkume.
Emmanuel told Saturday PUNCH in a phone interview that the Deputy Director of IPOB, Uche Ejiofor, had also confirmed that the man seen in the video was Kanu.
Emmanuel said IPOB members and the entire residents of their community received the news with joy.
He however said the family had yet to receive information concerning the whereabouts of Kanu’s parents.
He said, “I can confirm to you that the person in the video is Kanu. He was praying in the video that we saw. We are happy that he is still alive and we will try to establish communication with him.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army on Friday could not be reached for comments on the latest media report on Kanu.
The military had once declared Kanu wanted.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Texas Chukwu, could not be reached on his mobile phone as it rang out several times.
A text message also sent had not been replied as of press time.
Also, the Director, Defence Information, Brig Gen John Agim’s mobile phone was switched off as of press time.
