More reactions trail Simon Ekpa’s arrest in Finland
23 November 2024 |
3:13 am
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), who was arrested in Finland alongside four others over terror-related activities within the week.
• Don’t Link Ekpa To Us, IPOB Warns
• Enugu Govt Offers To Provide Evidence Against Him
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), who was arrested in Finland alongside four others over terror-related activities within the week.
This came as the Enugu State Government has commended the Government of the Republic of Finland for Ekpa’s arrest, describing him as “a common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has no interest of Igbo people at heart.
The government further described Ekpa as a “murderer and fraudster”, who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery, saying that Enugu State was ready and willing to provide evidence of Ekpa-sponsored atrocities against the Southeast to aid his trial and conviction, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
According to the Finnish Police, Ekpa was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent” while the four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime.”
In a statement released on Friday, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, accused Ekpa of recruiting violent criminals to destabilise the South East region.
IPOB also disowned Ekpa, stating that he has never been a registered member of the group. The group said: “The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been drawn to the news of the arrest and subsequent claim by the infamous Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), Simon Ekpa, of being an IPOB member. To set the records and facts straight, Simon Ekpa has never been a member of the global IPOB family movemen
“Contrary to the deliberate and malicious misinformation from the neocolonialist news agency, the BBC, that Simon Ekpa is an IPOB leader; Simon Ekpa has never and is not an IPOB member let alone being a leader in IPOB. IPOB has some family units in Finland, and Simon Ekpa is not a registered member of any IPOB unit in Finland or any other IPOB unit globally.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu established IPOB as a peaceful movement to seek Biafra Independence via a supervised UN referendum. IPOB is a peaceful global movement that has never taken to violence or arms struggle in two decades of our self-determination struggle. Even though the various murderous government regimes in Nigeria have provoked us, we have remained resolutely peaceful.
“It was unfortunate that some innocent Biafrans, being passionate for the restoration of the stolen sovereignty of the Biafran Nation, thought that Simon Ekpa was genuinely sympathetic to the Biafra course. Sadly, they had to learn the hard way that he was a destructive agent paid to infiltrate and destroy the IPOB peaceful movement for Biafra self-determination.
“He recruited violent criminals to destabilise the South East Region in 2021. He is a self-acclaimed prime minister of a small criminally minded group called the Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE). The infamous BGIE, led by Simon Ekpa, created a violent group that call themselves the Biafra Liberation Army.
They have perpetuated various violent acts against the civilian populace of the Eastern Region in the name of Biafra agitation. IPOB family worldwide repudiated that violent system to achieve Biafra freedom and sovereignty severally through our numerous press statements. His (BRGIE) group and the Nigerian Army are responsible for many kidnappings, rape, forceful disappearances, killings, and burning of homes in the South Eastern region. Undoubtedly, Simon Ekpa has claimed responsibility for the violent actions of his criminal gang.” The statement added that the Ekpa-led group has no alliance, affiliation or relationship with IPOB family worldwide.
“He recruited his criminal gangs who have been terrorising the Biafran territory since 2021. The Nigerian government and politicians that contracted Simon Ekpa has been making strenuous efforts to tag the violent crimes of their agent on IPOB just to blackmail and demonise the genuine and peaceful Biafra self-determination struggle of the Biafran people led by the IPOB.
“IPOB is by this press release calling on BBC News and Finnish Authorities to note that Simon Ekpa has never had and does not have any relationship whatsoever with IPOB in Finland or any other unit globally. He should not be associated with IPOB because IPOB does not support violent agitation that he represents. IPOB is a peaceful movement that has adopted civil disobedience to press our demand for referendum as the vehicle to achieve our goal of self determination. No person, group, or institution should link Simon Ekpa and his group to IPOB except such person, group, institution, or government is part of the grand plan and conspiracy to perpetually subjugate the Biafran people to a life of servitude and misery,” the statement added.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday, said Ekpa’s arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster, who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the Southeast region.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the Southeast, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work. He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra,” Onyia said.
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