Two United States-based self-determination advocacy groups—American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) / Rising Sun and Ambassadors for Self-Determination—have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately release detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a joint press declaration issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, signed by representatives Dr. Sylvester Onyia, Mazi Evans Nwankwo, and Rev. Dede Maxwell, the organizations expressed grave concerns over Kanu’s deteriorating health in detention and demanded his immediate medical evacuation for specialized treatment.
The coalition urged Nigerian authorities to cease criminalizing political agitations, insisting that demands for self-determination should be addressed through open, democratic dialogue and a constitutional referendum rather than judicial prosecution.
The advocacy groups pointed to global democratic frameworks—including recent parliamentary debates and self-determination discussions within the United Kingdom—to argue that peaceful agitation for a referendum is a recognized fundamental right under international law.
The organizations further emphasized that Kanu's legal rights must be respected, raising concerns over delayed appellate proceedings and asking the judiciary to expedite all pending hearings regarding his case.
Because Nnamdi Kanu holds British citizenship, the diaspora coalition—echoing recent statements by Kanu's legal team and family—called on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British government to take a proactive diplomatic stance.
The groups urged international human rights organizations and foreign governments to press Nigerian authorities to guarantee Kanu's access to adequate medical care, safeguard his fundamental human rights, and engage in constructive political dialogue to resolve underlying regional grievances.