The Re-branded Indigenous People of Biafra (TRIPOB), a splinter group of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu has said the embattled leader’s claim of being unwell in prison was a lie.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Chima “Phillip Effiong” Osuji on Tuesday, the group claimed it visited Kuje Prison and found out the embattled leader was hale and hearty.

It said, “Following the alarming and weighty allegations of threat to the life of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu in Kuje Prison, which was leveled against the Nigeria Prison Services (NPS) and the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS), by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), some members of The Re-branded Indigenous People of Biafra (TRIPOB) were mandated to visit and ascertain the facts and condition of our leader Charles Okah who also happens to be an inmate in the same Kuje prison, Abuja.

“Their findings reveal that while it is true that there was an incident caused by irresponsible, untrained and overzealous armed warders used to quell a peaceful protest over poor living conditions and food quality by indigent inmates from their locked cells, several other inmates were also affected, including Charles Okah who suffers partial blindness as a result of the indiscriminate shooting of tear gas into cells and buildings housing inmates when a tear gas canister exploded in his face as he tried to escape the fumes by moving towards his cell window.

“The IPOB allegation is a lie directed at the DSS who had no hand in the Prisons mishandling of the situation. Such propaganda is meant to elicit sympathy for Kanu and hatred against the Federal Government.

“On the day of our visit, we also happened to have seen Mr. Kanu who was also receiving visitors. He looked hale and hearty, and as fit as a fiddle.

“Instead of resorting to cheap blackmail and propaganda, IPOB should advise Kanu to stoop to conquer, humble himself and change its strategy.”

Azeez