Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has blamed the 2017 military invasion of their family home in Afara Ukwu, Umuahia, for the untimely deaths of their parents.
He made this statement during an exclusive interview on ABN TV’s Political Perspective.
Speaking on the tragic event, Prince Emmanuel Kanu described the military operation, known as Operation Python Dance, as a traumatic incident that not only led to the deaths of many but also inflicted lasting pain on his family.
READ ALSO: IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s Parents Buried (Photos, Video)
Recounting the events, Prince Kanu noted that on August 30, 2017, his brother, Nnamdi Kanu, had met with Southeast governors in Enugu to present his demands. The governors assured him that they would take those demands to the presidency in Abuja. However, just two weeks later, their home was stormed by soldiers, leading to the deaths of over 28 people, including some of their relatives.
“The invasion remains a very painful memory, from 2017 up until today. My parents suffered deep emotional trauma from that incident, and it eventually led to their deaths,” he said.
He recalled how the terrifying experience left their community in fear.
“A little girl who lived opposite my parents’ house used to scream each time she saw police officers or heard sirens, crying, ‘They are coming again! They are coming again to kill us!’ This is the horror that Operation Python Dance left behind,” he lamented.
Prince Kanu further revealed that February 14 has become a solemn day for his family and IPOB members worldwide, as it marks the day they buried their parents.
“Every February 14, we honor them. It is heartbreaking that my brother is still in detention and cannot be part of this. My parents did not die natural deaths; they died from the trauma inflicted by Operation Python Dance. Their spirits live on, and we will continue to honor them,” he stated.
Prince Emmanuel Kanu emphasized that military action and violent crackdowns will not resolve the agitation for Biafra, calling for dialogue instead.
“The use of bullets and guns will not solve the problem. A peaceful resolution is the only way forward,” he stressed.
With Nnamdi Kanu still in detention, the calls for justice and a political solution continue to grow louder across the Southeast and beyond.
