Prosecuting Nnamdi Kanu while ignoring bandits is nepotism – Ohanaeze chieftain tells Buhari

A former National Publicity Secretary of the
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, has accused the
President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal
Government of treating bandits with kid gloves.
Ibegbu said the Buhari government was more
concerned with the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu,
leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, and
other pro-Biafra than dealing with the menace of
banditry.
The chieftain was speaking with oniftv in
reaction to the declaration of bandits as terrorists
by an Abuja Federal High Court.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo had declared banditry as an
act of terrorism in all parts of Nigeria.
The Judge also outlawed the activities of some
groups linked with acts of banditry and declared
bandit activities as acts of terrorism.
Justice Taiwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte application
filed by the federal government specifically declared
the activities of the “Yan Bindiga Group and the Yan
Ta’adda Group and other similar groups” in any part
of the country, especially in the North West and
North Central geo-political zones as “acts of
terrorism and illegality”.
Reacting, Ibegbu said the decision of the Federal
Government to treat banditry and Boko Haram with
kid gloves is not the best way to move Nigeria
forward.
According to Ibegbu: “It’s obvious that the Federal
government is treating the issue of banditry with kid
gloves and it’s very clear to everybody.
“Federal Government is treating them (bandits) with
levity and is more concerned with Nnamdi Kanu,
IPOB, and pro-Biafra agitators. Any little issue in the
Southeast would be taken with all seriousness, but
bandits, kidnappers, marauders, and Boko Haram
are treated with kid gloves.
“This is not how to move a country forward or how
to unite the country. Everybody should be treated
equally.
“Those agitating are patriots. If you are agitating for
something and you are not a bandit, killer, but
pushing for fairness; you should not be seen as a
terrorist.
“To be treating those killing and abducting people
for ransom with kid gloves shows a high level of
nepotism in the system.”