A behavioural psychologist at the Obafemi Awolowo University, IIe Ife, Dr. O. S. Peter has said that leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnmadi Kanu, requires urgent medical and mental assistance.
Peter explained that a person is described as insane if the person’s state of mind or behaviour is different from normal perception as discovered in Kanu’ s public statements.
According to him, Kanu by some of his public statements over a prolonged period of time clearly shows signs of mental disorder and serious illness.
He said: “When he says things like the VP was forcefully Injected COVID19 or that the VP and Femi Adesina were kidnapped or under house arrest or that Aso Rock is empty, these are signs of insanity because they are a fabrication of his imagination.”
Mr Peter explained that another trait of insanity found in Kanu’s confused thinking was demonstrated in his perception about President Muhammadu Buhari
He said, “Kanu is confused in his perception and thinking, for example he has raised this view about the President of Nigeria, Jibril of Sudan, Buhari is a clone, Buhari using silicon mask or that Buhari is a doppelganger”.
Analysing Kanu further, the psychologist said delusions or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there) are other signs of insanity, saying that the symptoms of mental disorders found in his behavior and public speeches lately indicate excessive bouts of anger.
“This is demonstrated, as he is always expressing extreme anger, like talking about burning Nigeria, killing Nigerians, destroying Nigeria and even leaders of South East, and the South generally,” he said.
The behavioral expert added that these traits are similar to those found in Jim Jones, the infamous American preacher and faith healer turned cult leader who conspired with his inner circle to direct a mass murder-suicide of his followers in Jonestown, Guyana in 1978, when 918 of his followers died including 304 children after drinking a poisoned drink on the instructions of Jones.
Besides, the psychologist said Kanu’s continuous description of Nigeria as a zoo is another trait of insanity.
He said instigating his supporters to beat up and disgrace politicians of Igbo extraction when they travel abroad, as in the case of former Senator Ike Ekweremadu, shows a strong trait of insanity.
He added that it is unfortunate that there are people who think he speaks the truth because like Jim Jones, he could lead them all to destruction if urgent care is not taken.
“If Kanu submits himself for further examination it is possible that we find more traits of insanity in him. From the above, I have been able to establish that he has delusions, hallucinations, strong feelings of anger, denial of obvious issues and confused thinking but there could be more,” the psychiatrist said.
