My father & mother dıeď because of Biafra, it is Biafra or keep me in Abuja forever” – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu declares

 

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has once again galvanized his followers with a series of defiant statements made from his detention in Abuja. The declarations, which have since been widely circulated across social media and pro-Biafra platforms, serve as a potent symbol of his refusal to abandon the secessionist cause despite years of incarceration and legal battles with the Nigerian state.

Kanu’s statements emerged amid ongoing political and legal turmoil surrounding his trial. For years, his followers have engaged in protests and legal efforts to secure his release, often clashing with Nigerian security forces. The quotes, which resurfaced in October 2025 during a period of heightened protest activity in Abuja, directly address the sacrifices of his family and the unwavering commitment to the ultimate goal of an independent Biafran state.

In his statements, Kanu invokes a deeply personal and emotional rationale for his struggle, connecting his political mission to the immense pain suffered by his family. His parents, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and Ugoeze Sally Nmeme Okwu Kanu, reportedly died from health complications following the traumatic invasion of their family home in Umuahia during Operation Python Dance in 2017. This military assault, which took place while Kanu was on bail, preceded his disappearance from Nigeria and his subsequent re-arrest in Kenya in 2021.

By declaring, “My mother died because of Biafra. My father died because of Biafra. It is Biafra or keep me in Abuja forever,” Kanu elevates the Biafran cause beyond a political demand. It becomes a moral obligation, a testament to the ultimate family sacrifice that his supporters view as martyrdom. This potent narrative reinforces the perceived injustice of his detention and fuels the emotional investment of his followers.

The core of Kanu’s message lies in his uncompromising ultimatum to the Nigerian state: “I will not leave Abuja without Biafra” and “It is Biafra or keep me in Abuja forever”. This demand frames his detention not as a personal punishment but as a political stalemate. By refusing to renounce his struggle, he is using his prolonged detention as a lever, signaling that the Nigerian government’s actions will not break his will.

This stance is consistent with his history as the founder of Radio Biafra, where he cultivated a narrative of Nigerian oppression and Igbo marginalization. His rhetoric taps into historical grievances that date back to the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) and the subsequent feeling of exclusion among many Igbo people. The quote directly challenges the legitimacy of the Nigerian state to hold him, positioning his freedom as intrinsically linked to the larger cause of Biafran self-determination.

Kanu’s final statement, “Freedom is earned by those who refuse to surrender their dignity,” is a call to action for his supporters. It frames the Biafran struggle not only as a political movement but also as a fight for cultural and spiritual integrity. He suggests that compromising with the Nigerian state would mean forfeiting the dignity of his people.

The message is a thinly veiled rejection of any deals or compromises that do not include a path to Biafran independence. It serves to stiffen the resolve of his supporters, who view his continued detention as a battle of wills between the aspirations of the Igbo people and the authority of the Nigerian government.

Kanu’s declarations were published on pro-Biafra social media pages during a period of ongoing unrest and legal maneuvers. The statements emerged as IPOB supporters and human rights activists, including Omoyele Sowore, planned protests in Abuja demanding his release. These protests, which have been met with heavy security presence, highlight the continued tension surrounding Kanu’s trial and detention.

The timing and content of Kanu’s statements can be interpreted as a strategic move to refocus attention on the core objective of the Biafran movement. By reaffirming his unwavering commitment, he seeks to prevent his cause from being co-opted or diluted by calls for a political solution or negotiations that fall short of full independence. His message solidifies his legacy as a leader who sacrificed his freedom and his family for his people’s dignity and self-determination.