A major Yoruba group, the Odua People’s Assembly (OPA), has issued a strong warning against efforts to free the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The group claims Kanu’s actions during the 2020 #EndSARS protests caused widespread violence and destruction in the Southwest, and that his release would threaten the region’s hard-won peace.
The group recalls that the #EndSARS protests began as a peaceful movement against police brutality. However, they allege that Kanu hijacked the demonstrations, using his radio broadcasts to incite his followers to violence. This, they say, turned peaceful protests into a wave of chaos and attacks.
One of the most serious incidents highlighted was the attack on the palace of the Oba of Lagos. The assembly described this as a deep cultural insult, where intruders stole money and, most importantly, the Oba’s sacred staff of office—a key symbol of Yoruba traditional authority.
The violence and looting were not limited to Lagos. The statement detailed major attacks on businesses and properties in Ondo, Kwara, and Osun states, causing billions of naira in losses. The group insists these acts of destruction were a direct result of the unrest Kanu encouraged.
The OPA argues that calling for Kanu’s unconditional release makes light of the suffering of those whose lives and livelihoods were destroyed. They are urging the government to ensure Kanu faces the full legal consequences for his actions, warning that freeing him would reward violence and risk reopening old wounds in the region.
