IPOB: Pressure Mounts on Tinubu as Ejimakor Demands Release of Detained Igbo Youths

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A prominent human rights lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the unconditional release of Igbo youths allegedly being held in detention across the country without trial.

Ejimakor, who serves as legal counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, made the appeal in a statement posted on his social media platform on Saturday. He raised concerns over what he described as the continued detention of thousands of young people of Igbo descent on suspicion of affiliation with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

According to him, the prolonged detention of these individuals without formal charges or trial represents a serious breach of their fundamental rights and undermines the principles of justice and the rule of law. He urged Nigerians and the international community to prevail on the federal government to take immediate action.

“All people of conscience should urge the President to direct the unconditional release of the thousands of Igbo youths detained without trial across Nigeria on mere suspicion of being IPOB members,” Ejimakor stated.

The legal practitioner emphasized that in a democratic society governed by law, suspects must either be formally charged in court or released, warning that indefinite detention without due process sets a dangerous precedent. He argued that the justice system must not be compromised, regardless of prevailing security concerns.

His comments come against the backdrop of heightened security operations in Nigeria’s South-East region, where authorities have intensified crackdowns on individuals allegedly linked to IPOB, a group seeking the secession of the region. The federal government had previously designated IPOB as a terrorist organization and included it on a list of entities accused of financing terrorism.

However, Ejimakor challenged this designation, insisting that it should not justify what he described as arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions without legal backing. He maintained that adherence to due process remains essential in preserving public trust and upholding democratic norms.

The call has further fueled ongoing debates over human rights, national security, and the balance between maintaining order and protecting civil liberties in Nigeria. Observers say the issue continues to generate mixed reactions, with some supporting the government’s tough stance on security threats, while others raise concerns about potential abuses and violations of constitutional rights.

As discussions intensify, attention is now focused on how the federal government will respond to the growing calls for transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law in handling security-related detentions.