The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed confidence that he will be granted bail this April after spending four years in custody.

Kanu conveyed this assurance during a visit from the President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA) in Abuja, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility in Abuja, where he is being held.

Following the visit, Ezenekwe issued a statement confirming that Kanu voiced his disappointment over the absence of strong Igbo leadership advocating for his release and urged renewed efforts to push for the region’s interests.

Ezenekwe noted that he was taken aback by Kanu’s positive demeanor, describing him as upbeat, jovial, and even having gained weight despite his ongoing ordeal.

The statement reads: “Today at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, I had the honor of visiting Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). During our discussion, he appeared healthier and more relaxed and reaffirmed his resilience despite his current circumstances.

“He called for a referendum, describing it as a pivotal step towards self-determination, and reiterated his firm belief that he has committed no offense other than urging our people to awake from their slumber.

“He communicated a strong message of self-assurance, noting that he is taking his prescribed medications and remains in good spirits.

“More significantly, he expressed disappointment at the apparent leadership vacuum within the Igbo community—a neglect that has allowed our people’s voice to fade at a critical moment.

“Kanu expressed unwavering confidence in his legal team and his hope for release by the end of April 2025. This resonated as a powerful testament to his dedication and fortitude.”

Ezenekwe emphasized that the meeting served as an important reminder of the ongoing struggle for recognition, justice, and the advancement of Igbo interests in Nigeria.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to facilitate Kanu’s release, arguing that such an action would reflect the president’s dedication to justice.

“In light of today’s (Wednesday’s) encounter, I issue an earnest appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I call on him to draw upon the spirit of democracy and commitment to justice that defined his own struggles and to take decisive action in securing the freedom of our brother and hero, Nnamdi Kanu.

“Let this moment serve as a turning point—a renewal of our collective determination to safeguard the rights, dignity, and future of the Igbo people,” he stated

Who is Nnamdi Kanu and Why is He Detained?

Nnamdi Kanu, a British-Nigerian activist born in 1967, founded IPOB in 2012 to advocate for the secession of southeastern Nigeria, a region predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group, to form an independent state called Biafra.

The movement draws inspiration from the short-lived Republic of Biafra, which fought a civil war against Nigeria from 1967 to 1970, resulting in over a million deaths. Kanu’s rhetoric, often broadcast through Radio Biafra, has called for self-determination, but the Nigerian government views IPOB as a threat to national unity, designating it a terrorist organization in 2017.

Kanu was first arrested in October 2015 on charges of treasonable felony and terrorism. Granted bail in 2017, he fled Nigeria after a military raid on his home, only to resurface in 2021 when he was controversially re-arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria in an operation his supporters and legal team describe as “extraordinary rendition.” Since then, he has been held in solitary confinement by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, facing a litany of charges, including terrorism and incitement.

What his Release will mean for Nigerians

Nnamdi Kanu’s release would have significant implications for Nigerians. It could be seen as a sign that the justice system is evolving and becoming more responsive to the needs and rights of the people. Many Nigerians might view this development as evidence that long-standing grievances are finally being addressed.

For supporters, his freedom represents a beacon of hope, especially for communities that have felt marginalized or ignored. It could help bridge divisions by sparking broader conversations about fairness, accountability, and national unity. This positive step may encourage the government to consider reforms that ensure all citizens receive just treatment under the law.

Moreover, if Kanu is released on fair legal grounds, it could restore public confidence in the country’s judicial process. Both locally and internationally, this move might serve as a powerful example that even controversial cases can be resolved in a manner that upholds the principles of justice and human rights. In essence, his release may contribute to building a more inclusive and transparent society.

Lagos, Nigeria’s economic engine, is buzzing, this time not for its relentless hustle but for a transport meltdown.

On April 1, 2025, the sudden closure of Independence Bridge, a crucial artery linking Lagos Island to Victoria Island, unleashed gridlock hell on many commuters who ply the route.

Emergency repairs triggered the shutdown, but unmanaged traffic planning left many stranded, businesses crippled, and tempers flaring across the megacity.

Lagosians Cry Out

The closure hit like a sucker punch. By dawn on Tuesday, April 1, traffic choked Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and Lagos Island, with tailbacks snaking for miles.

Social media lit up as furious residents vented their frustration over the lack of notice or decent detours.

• Bolanle Austen-Peters:
  “Poor or rich, security cars or okada, everyone was humbled by yesterday’s traffic. Walking from VI to Ikoyi heard someone say ‘whether your car is worth 7 billion or not, we are all stuck together in this traffic.’ Non-existent pedestrian walkways, broken rails on bridges, and water puddles became the only path for all except you wanted to stay in the traffic. This is the reality of the average man. SMH… which way forward..???“
  
• KanisuruDaniel:
  “I left my house on the mainland around 5:30 AM and I’m still stuck in traffic at Lekki-Ikoyi at 12:38 AM.“
  
• AyoBankole:
  “Spent 3hrs from Lekki to Airport to catch a flight. Two hours of it was between Freedom Way and Lekki-Ikoyi. It will be evil for the government not to respond and restrategize on the repair works. What happened today is unsustainable in a 2025 mega-city.“

With no solid alternative routes, the chaos rippled outward, affecting Third Mainland Bridge and Eko Bridge—already notorious bottlenecks in Lagos’ overstretched road network.

Why Independence Bridge Matters

This isn’t just any bridge. Built in the post-independence boom of the 1960s, Independence Bridge (often tied to the Falomo corridor) is a lifeline for Lagos’ workforce—traders, bankers, and hustlers shuttling between Victoria Island’s skyscrapers and Lagos Island’s markets.

Decades of neglect had left it creaking, with cracked concrete and rusted joints flagged by engineers for years. Yet, action only came when collapse loomed.

What Sparked the Shutdown?

The Federal Ministry of Works cited urgent safety risks. A recent inspection, they say, revealed structural weaknesses too dire to ignore, with crumbling supports and shaky beams, and repairs couldn’t wait. But the abrupt move blindsided everyone.

According to an official from the Ministry of Works who preferred to be anonymous:
“This bridge don dey beg for fix since. It’s part of a bigger push to save Lagos roads, but the rollout? Pure ojoro—no coordination.”

However, Lagosians are not buying the excuse as there was no prior heads-up and no traffic diversion plan.

The city’s history of botched infrastructure projects—like Third Mainland’s endless repairs or Lekki’s flood-trapped roads, only fueled the skepticism.

Government Scrambles: Bridge Reopens

By Thursday April 3, 2025, the backlash forced action as Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced a partial reopening to ease the snarl, bowing to public pressure after just two days of total closure.

The statement from Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, was made in an official statement released to the public on April 3, 2025, following the public backlash and pressure regarding the bridge closure. She commented on the efforts being made to balance safety and movement during the ongoing repairs of the Independence Bridge:
“We feel una pain, abeg. We’re working 24/7 to balance safety and movement.”

Repairs will now proceed in phases, with lane-by-lane fixes and night works to minimize disruptions. But the damage to public trust? That will take much longer to repair.

Lagos’ Bigger Problem

This issue also lays bare the city’s transport Achilles’ heel.

Lagos, with its 20 million-plus population, can’t keep lurching from one reactive fix to the next.

Urban planner Bode Falana put it bluntly:
“Megacity wey no plan well na disaster waiting. You can’t just lock a bridge like this without options, where the foresight dey?”

Lagos thrives as Africa’s commercial pulse, but its veins, roads, bridges, ferries are clogged.

The Third Mainland Bridge saga of 2023-2024, with its stop-start closures, showed the same playbook: act late, communicate less, then scramble.

Without proactive maintenance and smart traffic management, productivity bleeds out in exhaust fumes.

What’s Next?

The Independence Bridge drama could be a wake-up call in Lagos’ infrastructure development even as the rains are here.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is ramping up efforts to tackle the 1,040 tonnes of textile waste generated daily in Lagos State as part of its commitment to sustainable waste management.

LAWMA’s Managing Director, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, made this announcement on Monday in commemoration of International Zero Waste Day, themed “Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles.”

“Textile waste accounts for approximately 8% of the 13,000 tonnes of daily waste in Lagos. To address this, LAWMA plans to ban textile waste from all state landfills and collaborate with Tejuosho Market in Yaba to collect fabric waste for recycling,” Gbadegesin stated.

As part of the initiative, students at LAWMA Academy are being trained to upcycle textile waste into reusable products, fostering sustainability and economic empowerment.

Gbadegesin reaffirmed LAWMA’s dedication to achieving zero waste in Lagos, aligning with global best practices in waste reduction and resource recovery.

“International Zero Waste Day highlights our collective responsibility to protect the environment. LAWMA is fully committed to implementing waste sorting, recycling, and waste-to-energy initiatives. However, for these efforts to succeed, Lagosians must play an active role in proper waste disposal and environmental sustainability,” he added.

LAWMA’s bold move underscores the growing urgency for sustainable waste management and the need for collaborative efforts in reducing textile pollution across the state.