22nd November 2024, NewsOrient, News, Law And Society
By Our Reporter

The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) has again formally disowned Simon Ekpa, a Finland based Nigerian citizen and self proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra.

IPOB said it has no ties with Simon Ekpa or his group, “Autopilot.”

IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who made the declaration, said “his group’s focus remains the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021.

“We have no interest in Simon Ekpa’s arrest,” Powerful said.

He added: “Our only concern is the release of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is unjustly detained despite court rulings in his favor.”

According to Emma Powerful, IPOB had consistently told “authorities not to associate Ekpa with their organization or the Eastern Security Network.”

This formal denial is even as Finland authorities earlier this week arrested and detained Simon Ekpa, accusing him of “inciting terrorism and leading campaigns of violence in Southeastern Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reportedly taken steps to secure extradition of the same Simon Ekpa to Nigeria “to face criminal charges.”

Ironically, the same Simon Ekpa has consistently and severally been described in some local and international reports as the “Leader of the Eastern Security Network (ESN);” “the Prime Minister of Biafra” or as “a disciple of IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu.”

Concerned observers say his current arrest and possible trial either in Finland or in Nigeria may reveal, amongst others, Simon Ekpa”s true identity and roles in the Biafran agitation and in the prolonged insecurity in the Southeast zone of Nigeria.

Confirming Nigerian government’s attitude towards the development, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, has reportedly expressed satisfaction with Ekpa’s arrest. He reportedly described it as “a significant step toward justice.’

Also, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, reportedly said: “Simon Ekpa has been a key figure in sponsoring violence in the South-East.”

For Buba therefore, “Ekpa’s arrest is a testament to the global resolve to end terrorism.”

NewsOrient reports that Simon Ekpa was arrested in Finland earlier this week, alongside four others, by Finland’s Central Criminal Police on charges which include: “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and financing terrorism.”

Reports from Finland said it was a Päijät-Häme District Court that ordered Ekpa’s detention “based on probable cause.”

According to the report, Crime Commissioner, Otto Hiltunen, stated “that Ekpa used social media to incite violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria, resulting in deaths and destruction.
The reports added that “international collaboration was crucial in investigating and apprehending Ekpa and his alleged accomplices.”

Before his arrest, Ekpa’s critics had accused him of being largely responsible for the level of insecurity in the Southeast zone of Nigeria.

Amongst other allegations levelled against him, it was alleged that he was the one that declared and or sustained sit – at – home order, which has claimed many lives and unquantifiable economic loss in the area.

During the last General Elections in Nigeria in 2023, Mr Ekpa was also accused of attempts to frustrate process of democratic elections in the Southeast zone of Nigeria.

Photo Credit: BBC

~ NewsOrient

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