An Israeli lobbyist, Heidi Moses, has called for increased international attention to the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), during a television interview in Israel.
Moses, who said she represents the Biafran cause at the Israeli Knesset, also criticised Britain’s historical role in Nigeria, arguing that its colonial policies contributed to the political structure underpinning the country’s formation.
Speaking during the interview, parts of which have circulated online, Moses linked Britain’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to what she described as its historical responsibility for Nigeria’s political structure.
‘I want to talk about the hypocrisy of Britain. I represent Biafra at the Knesset,’ Moses said.
‘Biafra is under the horrible control of Nigeria. I am talking about a population of 50 to 70 million that lives under the Nigerian government.’
Moses alleged that people in the region had suffered violence and loss of life, while also referring to claims by some Jewish religious figures in Israel concerning alleged links between some Biafrans and the biblical tribe of Gad.
She said the Biafran question had been presented to members of the Israeli parliament during a visit by a delegation she described as representing Biafra.
‘I brought the distinguished Biafran delegation to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and they were welcomed very warmly,’ she said.
According to her, the lawmakers who met the delegation included Limor Son Har-Melech, Nissim Vaturi and Afif Abed.
Moses further claimed that the parliamentarians subsequently wrote to the United Nations concerning Kanu’s detention.
‘They also sent letters to the UN concerning the arbitrary detention of the leader of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,’ she said.
Kanu, a prominent advocate of Biafran self-determination, was prosecuted by the Nigerian government over activities linked to his separatist campaign. He was convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja on treason-related offences and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is currently serving his sentence in Sokoto.
Moses rejected the basis of his imprisonment, maintaining that Kanu was being punished for his political views and his advocacy for Biafran independence.
‘He was kidnapped and jailed only because of his views, only because he wants to free his people,’ she said.
Her characterisation of the case differs from the Nigerian government’s position and the outcome of the criminal proceedings, which resulted in Kanu’s conviction on treason-related offences.
The Israeli lobbyist also accused Britain of bearing historical responsibility for Nigeria’s political configuration, which she said remained at the centre of the Biafran separatist agitation.
‘Who gave this mandate to the Nigerians? The British government,’ she said.
Moses urged greater international scrutiny of Britain’s historical and contemporary activities, saying: ‘We must break this silence and tell the world who the British are. We have to show what is happening in Biafra and in every place in the world where the British are acting behind closed doors.’
She also referred to remarks attributed to United States President Donald Trump on security challenges in Nigeria and claimed that Washington had indicated a willingness to provide military assistance.
No details or supporting evidence for the claim were provided during the interview.