IPOB Says Ekpa On A Lonely Journey

By Gideon Njoku

The leadership of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has distanced the organisation from Simon Ekpa and whatever he is going through in the hands of the Finnish Police.

IPOB in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, distanced the Group from the activities of Ekpa and his Autopilots.

It also insisted that Ekpa’s Group is not, and was never affiliated to IPOB.

Ekpa, a self-proclaimed disciple of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained Leader of IPOB, suddenly fell out with IPOB/EAS  over organizational structure and operations. He quickly distanced himself from the main IPOB, and founded a rather violent Group known as Autopilots.

The Finland-based Ekpa later declared himself the Prime Minister of the Republic of Biafra in Exile. From Finland, Ekpa waged a relentless, bloody war against his Igbo people, a tribe he claimed to be protecting. Not only did he destroy the economy of the Zone by his constant declaration of sit-at-home order, hundreds of people lost their lives to “the struggle.”

But on Thursday, November 21, the Finnish Police arrested Ekpa and four others on suspicion of waging terrorism against Nigeria and, especially, the South-east. He is in Police custody.

Reacting to Ekpa’s arrest, and the constant reference to him as an IPOB member, Powerful issued a strongly worded statement to the effect that Ekpa “is on his own

Part of the statement reads: “We are not interested in his (Ekpa’s) arrest. All we want is for the release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has not committed any offence and who has been freed by the law courts. That is our concern.

“We have reiterated on several occasions that  Ekpa has no relationship with the IPOB from the formation to date and he has nothing in common with the Biafra struggle.

“For a long time, IPOB has maintained that there is nothing like autopilot in IPOB.

“More so, the criminal gang leader in Finland has no relationship with ESN from the formation of ESN to date or with IPOB. The authorities should stop linking IPOB with Ekpa and his group and IPOB is not interested in his arrest or whatever.

“All we want is for the Nigerian government to release our leader who has been detained for no known crime other than fighting for the liberation of his people.”

On his part, spokesman of IPOB’s Political Wing, Nwachukwu Emereonye, called for the immediate extradition of Ekpa to Nigeria to face the consequences of his actions.

He said:  “We in IPOB Political Wing welcome the arrest of Simon Ekpa. His actions are unbecoming. Scores of people have been killed and properties worth billions of Naira destroyed.

“He should be handed over to the Nigerian government for immediate prosecution.”

Ekpa’s arrest sparked celebrations in parts of the South-East and reactions from a number of high profile Nigerians, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

Ekpa’s arrest has sparked widespread reactions, with many Nigerians demanding his extradition to Nigeria.

Former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode lauded the arrest, describing Ekpa as a “psychopath” whose rhetoric caused the deaths of many innocent Nigerians.

Meanwhile, former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad suggested that Ekpa should face justice in Nigeria after serving his sentence in Finland.

Violence in South-East Nigeria

Ekpa has been linked to the enforcement of sit-at-home orders in the South-East, leading to violence, deaths, and economic paralysis.

Recent attacks attributed to ESN operatives include the killing of vigilantes and civilians in Anambrva State.

IPOB denies involvement in these acts, accusing Ekpa of exploiting the Biafran struggle for personal gain.