(DDM) — Human rights activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigerian government of deliberately keeping the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in custody to ensure he never regains his freedom, or possibly, never comes out alive.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Sowore made the explosive claim in a post shared via his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, alleging that the authorities fear the political and social consequences of freeing Kanu, who has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021.
According to Sowore, the government’s reluctance to release Kanu stems from the fear that “the lies sustaining their power will collapse once Mazi Nnamdi Kanu walks out as a free man.”
He wrote: “They do not want Mazi Nnamdi Kanu freed alive, and they are united in that mission.
Ever since they realised their web of deceit was beginning to unravel, they have gone into overdrive.
Their fear is that his release will expose their fraud, greed, backstabbing, and betrayal of justice.”
The fiery activist further claimed that Kanu’s continued detention represents a calculated state conspiracy to silence dissent and preserve a system built on injustice and political manipulation.
Sowore stated that “the people’s eyes have opened, and fake political careers built on deceit, destruction, and the oppression of the masses will not survive the truth.”
The IPOB leader, who was abducted and extradited to Nigeria in 2021 from Kenya under controversial circumstances, has remained in DSS custody despite multiple court orders demanding his release.
His detention has sparked recurring protests, diplomatic appeals, and legal battles across Nigeria and abroad.
Earlier this week, Sowore led a major protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where demonstrators demanded Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release.
The protest, which held near the Federal High Court in Abuja, reportedly turned tense when security operatives arrested several protesters, including Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s lead counsel, and Emmanuel Kanu, his younger brother.
Both men, alongside several others, were remanded in Kuje Prison, a development that has triggered widespread outrage among civil society groups and human rights defenders.
Sowore described the arrests as evidence that Nigeria is “sliding further into authoritarianism under the current administration.” He accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government of perpetuating the same repressive tactics that characterized past regimes.
“This regime thrives on lies, deceit, and oppression,” Sowore asserted. “They know that if Mazi Nnamdi Kanu steps out of detention today, the entire structure of manipulation and falsehood holding this country hostage will crumble.”
Kanu’s prolonged detention has continued to generate tension in the South-East region, where his supporters have repeatedly called for his freedom, alleging state persecution and ethnic bias.
Several separatist activists have accused the federal government of selective justice, pointing out that known terrorists and bandits have been granted amnesty, while political prisoners like Kanu remain behind bars.
Legal experts have also condemned the federal government’s disobedience to judicial pronouncements, particularly the Court of Appeal judgment of October 2022, which discharged and acquitted Kanu of all charges related to terrorism.
Despite the ruling, the government re-filed similar charges at the Federal High Court, a move many described as an abuse of judicial process.
Civil rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called for Kanu’s release, insisting that his detention violates international human rights laws and Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of fair trial and liberty.
Speaking further, Sowore said the struggle for Kanu’s freedom is not just about the IPOB leader but about defending the rule of law and civil rights in Nigeria.
“This is not a Biafra issue alone,” he declared. “It is about justice, fairness, and the soul of Nigeria.
When government officials can pick and choose which court orders to obey, then we no longer have a democracy, we have tyranny wearing a constitutional mask.”
Observers note that Sowore’s comments mark one of the boldest criticisms yet from a high-profile activist since the recent wave of pro-Kanu protests erupted in several Nigerian cities.
His statement also highlights the deepening divide between the federal government and pro-democracy campaigners who accuse security agencies of weaponizing the judiciary to suppress opposition voices.
Meanwhile, sources within IPOB told DDM that the movement plans to intensify its global campaign for Kanu’s release, mobilizing diaspora chapters in London, Washington DC, Berlin, and Toronto for synchronized demonstrations next month.
Supporters say these protests will aim to pressure the Nigerian government and international bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, to intervene and ensure compliance with judicial rulings.
Political analysts believe the controversy surrounding Kanu’s detention could become a defining test for President Tinubu’s administration, particularly as it struggles to balance national security concerns with growing demands for justice and accountability.
A former lawmaker from the South-East who spoke to DDM on condition of anonymity said: “If this government continues to ignore court rulings, it sends a dangerous message that power is above the law.
The continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu is no longer a legal issue, it’s now a moral and political crisis.”
As the debate intensifies, many Nigerians are watching closely to see whether the government will heed growing calls for dialogue and reconciliation or double down on its hardline approach.
For Sowore, however, the message remains clear: “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu must be released, dead or alive, his truth cannot be silenced.”