Buhari’s ex-aide Bashir Ahmad blows hot, says ‘anyone pushing for Kanu’s release is Nigeria’s sworn enemy’

Bashir Ahmad, a former Special Assistant on Digital Communication to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has described those pushing for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as Nigeria’s sworn enemy.

In a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, Ahmad described Kanu as a terrorist and labelled anyone advocating for his release as “a sworn enemy of this country.”

Ahmad noted that he would only support Kanu’s release if the separatist leader undergoes rehabilitation and renounces his derogatory views about Nigeria and its citizens.

“I can only advocate for his release when he is truly rehabilitated, so he stops seeing Nigeria as a zoo and the citizens as animals that deserve to be brutally killed,” Ahmad stated.

Ahmad said, “Anybody advocating for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a terrorist and the leader of the proscribed terrorist organisation IPOB, should be considered a sworn enemy of this country.”

The IPOB leader has been in custody since his re-arrest in June 2021 on charges related to terrorism.

Kanu’s trial is currently stalled after he challenged Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court to recuse herself from his trial.

In line with his demand, the judge withdrew from the trial and forwarded Kanu’s case file to the Chief Justice of the Abuja Federal High Court for reassignment.

However, Kanu has filed a complaint before the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing Justice Nyako of misconduct.

His continued detention has become a public debate, with some groups calling for his unconditional release to foster peace in the southeastern region.

“Trust me, I can also be an advocate for his release when he is truly rehabilitated, so that he stops seeing Nigeria as a zoo and we, the citizens, as animals that deserve to be brutally killed,” Bashir added.

However, Ahmad’s comments did not sit well with many with some asking why some detained Boko Haram terrorists have been released and rehabilitated in the past.

A lawyer and human rights activist, Osasu Obayuwana took on Ahmad wrote in the comment section:

He wrote: “Let me make it clear – I am not a fan of Nnamdi Kanu. But if Boko Haram fighters can be let out of detention and rehabilitated, why is Kanu worse than them?

Please tell us.

“Bashir, Boko Haram terrorists took up arms and kidnapped/murdered people, as well as destroying people’s homes and livelihoods. Has Nnamdi Kanu used inflammatory language? Yes. Has he taken up arms and killed anyone? Not the last time I checked. Or do you know something I don’t?”