The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has once again called for the immediate and unconditional release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has remained in detention since 2021.

The group said recent developments across Nigeria confirm the accuracy of Kanu’s past warnings about the country’s worsening insecurity and political instability.

In a press release signed by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group highlighted that Kanu’s messages from as far back as 2014 had foreseen the current state of affairs in Nigeria.

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IPOB argued that the unfolding events, including the spread of violence and ethnic tensions, prove the validity of Kanu’s calls for self-determination and restructuring.

According to the statement, “The recent events in Nigeria reflect what Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had long warned about. His concerns about insecurity, national disunity, and the marginalization of various ethnic groups have continued to unfold.”

Kanu was arrested and extradited in 2021 and has since been held on charges linked to his advocacy for Biafra’s independence.

IPOB insists that his prolonged detention is unjust and that his predictions about Nigeria’s security situation should spark a national dialogue on the country’s future.

The group also pointed to Kanu’s numerous broadcasts before his arrest, where he allegedly predicted the rise of armed groups and growing instability in different regions of the country.

IPOB believes these forecasts highlight the need to revisit Nigeria’s foundation and address the structural issues fueling unrest.

Beyond Kanu’s release, IPOB reiterated its long-held position on the restructuring of Nigeria.

It described the amalgamation of various ethnic groups into one nation as a fundamental flaw that has led to persistent conflict and underdevelopment.

The group called for a peaceful and democratic process through which indigenous nationalities can decide their futures.

“We believe the lasting solution lies in giving ethnic nationalities the opportunity to decide their own paths. This must be achieved through peaceful means and mutual respect,” the statement added.

IPOB concluded its message by appealing for unity among Nigerians in the face of rising insecurity and urged all stakeholders to support constructive discussions on the country’s future.

It reaffirmed its commitment to non-violence and the protection of its people.

In a sharp escalation of the ongoing trade war, China announced it will impose tariffs of up to 125% on U.S. imports starting Saturday, in response to President Donald Trump’s recent decision to raise duties on Chinese goods to 145%.

The tit-for-tat tariff hikes have heightened fears of a prolonged standoff between the world’s two largest economies, with analysts warning of potential disruptions to global supply chains.

The White House had recently intensified pressure on China by excluding it from a 90-day tariff pause granted to dozens of other countries.

READ ALSO: Trump steps up trade war with $200 billion in tariffs

The move was widely seen as a direct challenge to Beijing, which remains the second-largest supplier of goods to the U.S.

In a strongly worded statement, China’s Finance Ministry condemned the U.S. move, calling it a “serious violation of international and economic trade rules” and labeling it as “unilateral bullying and coercion.”

China’s Commerce Ministry also signaled a firm stance, warning that it would “resolutely take countermeasures” and “fight to the end” if Washington continues what it called substantive infringements on Chinese interests.

“If the U.S. continues to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods exported to the U.S., China will ignore it,” the ministry added, dismissing the tariff war as “a numbers game” with “no practical economic significance.”

China urged the U.S. to back away from the confrontation and “completely correct its wrongful practices” by removing the so-called reciprocal tariffs, which have become a flashpoint in U.S.-China economic relations.

A night fire that broke out at the Mayegun Cement Store Market in Araromi, Agodi-Gate, Ibadan, on Thursday, April 10, 2025, destroyed no fewer than 12 shops and goods worth millions of naira.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started around 10:55 pm at Block A, No. 64 of the market and raged for more than three hours before firefighters managed to put it out.

Traders and residents in the area described the incident as devastating, noting that the intensity of the fire made rescue efforts difficult at the early stage.

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Investigations point to an electrical surge near combustible materials as the likely cause of the fire.

The General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Mr. Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday.

He revealed that the agency received the emergency call shortly after the fire began.

“The agency’s control room received the distressed call at exactly 23:02 hrs on Thursday, April 10, 2025, through telephoning and Mr Young to report a shop fire at the above address,” Akinyinka said.

He explained that fire service personnel, led by CFS Jimoh, were swiftly deployed to the scene.

“On arrival, we met some lockup shops well alight, and we swiftly swung into action and restricted the fire from spreading to other nearby shops,” he said.

While 12 shops were completely affected, the fire service reported that they were able to save property valued in billions of naira. The firefighting operation ended at about 3:18 am on Friday.

The fire service has urged traders to observe safety precautions, especially when dealing with electrical installations and flammable materials.