The South-East leaders and traditional leaders have requested the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
This was made known in a statement on Sunday by the Chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops.
According to the leaders, such a decision would put an end to the raging unrest in the South-East region of the country.
The leaders also implored the government to de-proscribe the IPOB and set free all arrested members of the IPOB in the country, adding that it is time to stop military action as a solution to the crisis in the region.
The group also admonished the IPOB to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders and shun any action that would disrupt the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
“Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion, and development.
“We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the South-East zone.
“We call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South-East zone, more so as it has become apparent that a continued military siege on the region can only lead to heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths,” the statement read.
The statement was signed by Igwe Charles Mkpuma (Ebonyi); Eze Joseph N. Nwabeke (Abia); Obi Nnaemeka Achebe (Anambra); Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu (Enugu) and Eze Dr. E. C. Okeke (Imo).
Others are Dr Anthony J. V. Obinna (Catholic Archbishop of Owerri); Dr Emmanuel O. Chukwuma, (Anglican Archbishop of Enugu); Dr Chibuzo R. Opoko (Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia); Dr Valerian M. Okeke (Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha); Dr Uma A. Onwunta (Past Principal Clerk Presbyterian Church Nigeria); Bishop Obi Onubogu (Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria) and Dr Abraham Nwali (Chairman, CAN, South-East Zone).