Former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has said that anyone calling for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, should be labelled a sworn enemy of Nigeria.

Ahmad made this statement in a post shared on his X page on Sunday, January 19, 2025.

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

His statement provoked several Nigerians who criticized his remarks in the comments section.

Ahmad was questioned about why Boko Haram terrorists are made to undergo rehabilitation and released into the country while Kanu remains in detention.

A social media user Osasu Obayiuwana 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.”

In response, Ahmad said stated that he would not mind advocating for his release if he is truly rehabilitated and stops seeing Nigerians as animals that should be killed.

“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.”

Anybody advocating for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, a terrorist and the leader of the proscribed terrorist organization IPOB, should be considered a sworn enemy of this country.

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) January 19, 2025