Security has been tightened around the Sokoto Custodial Centre following the transfer of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, who was recently convicted on terrorism-related charges.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice James Omotosho directed that he be moved to a more secure “protective prison,” ruling that the Kuje Custodial Centre was unsuitable due to previous jailbreaks and security failures.
Kanu’s lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, confirmed on Friday that his client had been taken to Sokoto. He expressed concern that the transfer isolates Kanu from his family, supporters, and legal team, but urged Ndigbo to remain calm.
Although prison officials refused to confirm his arrival, unusual security movement around the Sokoto facility was observed. Armed officers were stationed at multiple points, and a truck filled with soldiers drove into the compound — a sight residents described as highly unusual.
One resident said, “We saw soldiers entering in trucks this evening. The security here has never been this tight.”
