A motion seeking the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been rejected by the senate.

The motion sponsored by Osita Izunaso, an All Progressives Congress (APC) senator representing Imo, was titled “Condemning the disruptive nature of sit-at-home Demonstrations in south-east Nigeria”. It was also co-sponsored by all other senators from the south-east region.

The Imo-born lawmaker pointed out that investors have been forced to leave the region and that thousands of innocent lives have been lost since IPOB's sit-at-home order started. He also stated that properties worth over a trillion naira have been destroyed.

Izunaso noted that the order has also disrupted the education of students and continually led to acts of violence and clashes with law enforcement agencies. He also said that if the activities of Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Kanu, who was issuing the illegal sit-at-home orders were not checked, he might succeed in corrupting the minds of Nigerian youths and turning them against the government.

The senate which observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives as a result of the activities of the sit-at-home proponents, however, declined a request for Nnamdi Kanu to be released as the matter is still court.