Former Minister of Aviation and elder statesman, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, has expressed optimism that the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be released soon.

Chief Amechi made the assertion on Wednesday while addressing newsmen in Onitsha in view of the April 8 court hearing on the charges against the IPOB leader by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

Expressing displeasure that despite leading a high-powered delegation of Igbo elders to appeal to the president to do the needful and release the IPOB leader, and the assurances given to that effect, Mazi Kanu has not been released. He however expressed optimism that although he doesn’t know when, the IPOB leader will be released soon given the ongoing negotiation with the Buhari-led government.

Chief Amechi stressed that Mazi Kanu’s release is imperative because his continued detention has heightened the level of agitation in the Southeast region and that a continued destination can only aggravate the situation.