99-Year-Old Abia Woman Appeals to President Tinubu for Release of Nnamdi Kanu

A 99-year-old resident of Afaraukwu in Abia State, Mrs. Sarah Nwanyisunday Oparaocha, has made an emotional appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria, urging authorities to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Speaking to journalists at her residence in Afaraukwu, the hometown of Kanu, Mrs. Oparaocha expressed her deep desire to see him return to the community before the end of her life. The nonagenarian, who will soon celebrate her 100th birthday, said it would bring her immense peace and fulfillment to witness his homecoming.

Her appeal was directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian government, whom she implored to consider releasing Kanu on compassionate grounds. According to her, she prays daily for divine intervention, asking God to touch the hearts of the nation’s leaders so that Kanu can reunite with his people.

“I will soon clock 100 years,” she said. “I weep every morning during my prayers because of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. I am pleading with the Nigerian government to release him so I can see him before God calls me.”

Mrs. Oparaocha, speaking in Igbo and interspersing her words with traditional proverbs, emphasized that her request is rooted in a longing to witness what she described as a significant moment for her community. She noted that while no one knows the appointed time of death, it would bring her comfort to see Kanu back in Afaraukwu while she is still alive.

“I am now 99 years old and will soon be 100,” she continued. “My prayer is to see Nnamdi Kanu with my own eyes before God eventually calls me. Nobody knows when that day will come, but I will be happy if I see him before that time.”

Her heartfelt plea coincided with reports of a community gathering in Afaraukwu, where residents also called for Kanu’s release. Community members reportedly expressed similar sentiments, urging the Federal Government to take steps toward resolving the matter.

Kanu, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s contemporary political discourse, has remained a subject of national debate. His detention continues to generate reactions from various quarters, including supporters who advocate for his release and others who stress the importance of due legal process.

For Mrs. Oparaocha, however, the issue transcends politics. Her appeal reflects a deeply personal wish shaped by age, faith, and attachment to her community. As she approaches the milestone of a century in life, her message remains simple yet poignant: to see a familiar son of the soil return home before her time on earth comes to an end.

Whether her plea will influence official decisions remains uncertain. Nonetheless, her voice adds to the ongoing public conversation surrounding Kanu’s case, highlighting the emotional and human dimensions that often accompany matters of national significance.