Head of the secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), Nnamdi Kanu, had a resolution for his release rejected by the Nigerian senate by senators from the south-east area.

The motion's sponsor, Senator Osita Izunaso of Imo West, said that releasing Mr. Kanu would put an end to the local gunmen's sit-at-home instructions.

"When people are forced to stay at home and businesses remain closed, productivity declines and income is reduced, affecting livelihoods and economic growth," he said.

Nevertheless, the Senate turned down the appeals from the south-east lawmaker and instead urged the federal government to arrest those responsible for enforcing the sit-at-home orders.

Since August 2021, unknown gunmen have been enforcing the weekly sit-at-home directives every Monday, despite Ipob's disassociation from their actions.

Mr. Kanu has been in detention since June 2021, even after the court dismissed all terror charges against him in October 2022.