A fresh appeal has been directed at Nigeria’s presidency over the continued detention of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, after a prominent South-East traditional ruler publicly urged President Bola Tinubu to either release him or facilitate his return to Kenya, where he was arrested.
The call came from Eze Lawrence Agubuzu, the Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, who raised the issue on Tuesday, February 17, during the 2026 National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held at the State House Abuja. The president attended the event as Special Guest of Honour.
Addressing Tinubu during remarks by traditional rulers, Agubuzu argued that the continued detention of Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has contributed to growing agitation among youths in Nigeria’s South-East region. According to him, resolving the issue could help ease tensions and foster stability.
Kanu has remained a highly sensitive political and legal subject in Nigeria, with his detention continuing to generate strong reactions from supporters, critics and regional stakeholders alike. Advocacy for his release has frequently surfaced in public discourse, particularly within the South-East.
Agubuzu’s latest intervention highlights ongoing concerns among traditional leaders about security, unity and youth unrest in the region. While the presidency has not issued an immediate response to his remarks, the appeal adds another voice to the broader national conversation surrounding Kanu’s detention and its political implications.