Separationist Planned to Proclaim a New Biafra in December
By Ebere Inyama
(Owerri) Residents of Owerri, the capital of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria reportedly organized impromptu rallies on November 20, 2024 in celebration of the arrest and imprisonment of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by Finnish authorities.
Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, is famous as an exiled promoter of the separationist movement known as Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which aims to restore the defunct Republic of Biafra, a country which seceded from Nigeria in 1967, prior to the Nigerian Civil War and was subsequently dissolved following its defeat in 1970. He was convicted by the Päijät-Häme District Court for spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting violence in Nigeria’s southeast through social media platforms.
Ekpa came to the limelight on July 8, 2021 when he was nominated to broadcast in Radio Biafra (an online radio through which the leadership of IPOB communicates to Biafrans all over the world).
Shortly after his nomination as a broadcaster in Radio Biafra, Ekpa hijacked the internal machinery of the IPOB, collaborated with some key officials of the group and collected all the funds in their bank accounts as reported by TruthNigeria on July 24, 2024.
“Having gained access to large sums of money belonging to the IPOB, Ekpa, proclaimed himself as ‘Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE)’, and went on air to announce that the Monday sit–at–homes should continue despite its annulment by the IPOB central command, according to a South African– based member of IPOB, Mr. ‘Onyenso’, during an interview with TruthNigeria. (Monday sit–at-home refers to the weekly work strikes by Biafrans aimed at compelling the Nigerian government to release the detained IPOB leader, Namdi Kanu, from detention)
Ekpa used part of IPOB’s money to commence the recruitment of dozens of followers whose job is to enforce the already suspended sit–at–home order.
175 Security Personnel Killed In The Southeast In 2 Years
At least, 128 policemen and 37 military personnel have been killed while 164 police stations were attacked by the armed wing of the separatist group, Eastern Security Network (ESN) between 2020 and 2021, according to a statement by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation
In addition to the casualties recorded among the police and the army, the separatist group masquerading as “Unknown Gunmen” have killed 15 Civil Defence Officers, 31 community policing members and more than 100 unarmed civilians, according to a statement made by The Brigade Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, Imo State, Brig. Gen. Raymond Utsaha.
Igbo Leaders Express Support For Ekpa’s Arrest
Following the arrest and imprisonment of Simon Ekpa, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, hailed the bold step taken by the government of Finland. (The Igbos are a tribe in Nigeria that occupy the southeastern part of the country)
In a statement on Thursday, November 21, 2024, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, expressed happiness over Ekpa’s arrest.
“The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, takes this momentous occasion to announce our unequivocal relief and support in light of the recent arrest of Simon Njoku Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Biafran independence movement, the statement began.
“Upon this crucial arrest, Ohanaeze Ndigbo categorically denounces the notion that individuals like Simon Ekpa possess the capability or legitimacy to summon the Igbo Nation into a conflict.
“This organization acknowledges Ekpa’s disturbing record over the last three years, wherein he has systematically wreaked havoc upon the very fabric of our society and economy, implementing his illegitimate Monday Sit-At-Home directive with the aid of armed men who have terrorized our communities.
“The financial toll from these activities is staggering, amounting to a loss of over 22 trillion naira ( $ 12.7 billion) in investment opportunities, thereby stifling the economic viability of our region”, the statement read.
Nigerian Army Echoes Call For Ekpa’s Extradition
In a press statement hours after the imprisonment of Ekpa, the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with Ekpa’s trial.
“CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice, he said.
While addressing members of the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence on July 20, 2024, the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, had expressed concern over insecurity in the south-east and called for the repatriation of Simon Ekpa from Finland back to Nigeria to face trial for all the crimes he committed.
Ekpa Planned To Declare Biafra On December 2, 2024
Ahead of a planned Biafra convention scheduled to hold in Finland, Simon Ekpa disclosed that more than 50 million Igbos have legally voted in the Biafra referendum in recent months, adding that he will declare the independence of Biafra on December 2, 2024.
“On behalf of the Biafra Government (BRGIE), we are happy to invite you to the Declaration of the Restoration of Independence of Biafra Convention (DRIBC 2024), which will be held in Lahti, Finland, from the 29th of November till the 3rd of December, 2024.
“All arrangements have been adequately made by the Biafra Government (BRGIE) for your accreditation to the event.
“You have served under Nigeria, and you are well aware that the establishment of Nigeria as an artificial experiment by the British has done nothing but continuously violate our fundamental human rights. For this reason, joining hands with your fellow Biafrans in exercising your inalienable rights to self-determination is a moral obligation and, most importantly, a fight for self-preservation.
“The steps we are taking for the actualization of our independent state are through an internationally recognized process of referendum,” he said.
Ebere Inyama is an Imo state–based conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
