Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) has apologised for threatening to kill children of Abia State Police commissioner.
Mr Kanu while tendering his apology withdrew the threat and expressed sadness over the development.
The fugitive had earlier threatened to kill children of heads of security agencies in retaliation should any member of the proscribed group be killed during his parents burial on Friday.
He made the threat while responding to the warning of the police barring members of IPOB from gracing the burial ceremony of his parents who were traditional rulers of his community.
But in a statement reproduced on his social media accounts on Wednesday, the secessionist leader backed down, apologised and withdrew the threat.
“This Friday, mourners in Biafra will come together to attend the funeral for my beloved parents, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu and Ugoeze Sally Nmenme Kanu,” Mr Kanu said.
“During this time of mourning, the Indigenous People of Biafra are living in a constant state of fear.
“The Abia State Commissioner of Police is threatening to disrupt the funeral and there continues to be a large military presence in the area, which has a history of inflicting violence against the IPOB.
“This has caused a range of emotions for me. I have now gone from an extreme sense of sadness after losing both of my parents, to an extreme sense of anger knowing that the mourners are in grave danger.
“In this time of immense grieving and anger, I made threats against the children of the Police Commissioner and other Nigerian officials on my radio program, Radio Biafra.
“This was wrong and I sincerely apologize. Children should always be off limits. It was my intention to bring global awareness to the threats and imminent danger the Government has placed on my family and community in hopes that shining a global spotlight on the actions of the Government will prevent them from inciting violence against my people. In doing so, I went too far.
“It is my great hope that the Indigenous People of Biafra can mourn in peace on Friday and can live in peace every single day forward,” he added.
