Nnamdi Kanu's arrest birthed these four conspiracy theories

The news of the arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was a difficult pill to swallow for people loyal to the faction as well as Nigerians who believed he was the man to change the course of history.

Nnamdi Kanu, since he jumped bail on March 28, 2018, following his arrest that year has grown to be one of the most influential Nigerians globally even if he prefers not to be referred to as a Nigerian.

He created a united front capable of causing mayhem to any government. From his base in the United Kingdom, the unshaken leader led the assault on Fulani herdsmen that unlawfully caused violence in the southeast. His ultimate goal was to ensure the dream of Chukwuemeka "Emeka" Odumegwu-Ojukwu was actualized. He wanted to take his people to the promised land.

While in the act, Mr. Kanu stepped on several toes. He became aggressive. Rather than being persuasive to the course. His methods were questioned by all as they believed he was violent. His weekly program on Biafra Radio which aired on Twitter and Youtube became an avenue to rain insults on the Buhari-led administration. This placed a big target on him.

As Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami in a press conference on Tuesday, June 29 gave details of Kanu's arrest, optimists believed it was another strategy by the government to deflate the optimism in the camp of IPOB. No one believed it was true and this gave birth to the conspiracy theories listed below.

1. The first image of his arrest was photoshopped

As the news of his arrest filtered the air, it was difficult for Nigerians to believe the image of a man wearing a designer outfit in handcuffs was Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The reason being that there was no way the government of Nigeria would have extradited him, a U.K citizen from the U.K without express permission from their government.

2. He was extradited from the UK/Nigerian govt

Until the rumors were debunked by Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, many believed Nnamdi Kanu has extradited from the U.K after a collaborative effort by both governments.

The British High Commission in a statement to TheCable stated categorically that Nnamdi Kanu wasn't arrested in the United Kingdom.

Dean Hurlock, a spokesperson of the British High Commission, on Tuesday, said he was neither arrested nor extradited from the UK.

“We can confirm that Nnamdi Kanu was not arrested in the UK for extradition purposes,” he said.

3. Where was he arrested?

The exact location of Kanu's arrest remains unknown. While his arrest was made known to the public on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami only said "Kanu was arrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services."

Rumors have gone rife about two possible locations; Kenya, Ethiopia, and Dubai.

4. His arrest was planned

A high-level source within the organization has said that the leader of the secessionist group was advised to surrender to the Nigerian government by foreign advisers and legal experts.

According to the source who spoke to MyNigeria, Nnamdi Kanu handed himself over to the police upon recommendation, noting that the international police (INTERPOL) promised to keep him safe while he is in the custody of the Nigerian government.

He said: "The international community is about to ask Nigeria to conduct a referendum, but MNK needs to clear his name & his organization first from the terrorism charges placed against him by the Nigerian govt, as the international community cannot oversee a democratic referendum with someone who is still proscribed by the country he's seeking right for self-determination from."