The Nigerian government has officially reacted to the broadcast by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It dismissed his threats that he was returning to the country with hell as empty.

In a series of tweets on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari’s official spokesperson, Garba Shehu said the country under Buhari was strong enough to protect its territory against any threat.

The tweets read: “The Presidency wishes to restate that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is strong enough to defend its territory against any threat, assuring all Nigerians that there is no reason to worry about the hollow outburst by Nnamdi Kanu, the disputed leader of IPOB on returning to the country with hell.

“Instead, we see the re-enactment of his bizarre, episodic threat as a mere distraction which will not be allowed to detract from the existing cordial relationships between Nigeria and other countries.

“The Buhari administration is in constant touch with other friendly nations and has the best assurances that they would continue to reciprocate the respect Nigeria has for the sovereignty of their nations.

“Nigerians have nothing to fear from this.”

Kanu was declared missing by members of IPOB after an army raid on his family home led to deaths and destruction of property. He was severally reported to have been in the custody of the army before he surfaced in Jerusalem, the Israeli capital last week.