Crime

Ohanaeze Hails Simon Ekpa’s Arrest as Major Relief for Ndigbo

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 22nd, 2024.

Ohanaeze Hails Simon Ekpa’s Arrest as Major Relief for Ndigbo

The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has welcomed the arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Biafran independence movement, calling it a significant relief for the Igbo people. The organization views his capture as a pivotal step towards healing and reconciliation for the region

Ekpa, who had been spreading terrorist propaganda on social media, was arrested by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) along with four others on charges related to terrorism. A district court in Päijät-Häme remanded him in custody following his arrest.

Reacting to the news, the Nigerian military expressed its satisfaction with Ekpa’s detention, viewing it as a positive development for regional security.

In a statement issued by Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group emphasized that Ekpa’s arrest was long overdue, as his actions had contributed significantly to the insecurity troubling Southeastern Nigeria. Isiguzoro also condemned Ekpa’s plan to declare a Sovereign Biafra Nation on December 2, 2024, describing it as both reckless and dangerous. He warned that such a declaration could have led to widespread unrest and potentially another civil war—an outcome the Igbo people unequivocally reject.

“The potential for civil unrest, and possibly another Biafran War, could have been disastrous,” Isiguzoro stated. “The scars of the previous conflict are still fresh in our collective memory, and we are committed to preventing any repeat of that devastation.”

Ohanaeze further criticized Ekpa’s actions over the past three years, highlighting his role in instigating violence and disrupting daily life through his notorious Monday Sit-at-Home orders. These actions, backed by armed groups, have caused immense economic damage, with losses estimated at over 22 trillion naira due to halted investments and business closures.

The organization also expressed frustration with the Finnish government for its failure to act sooner against Ekpa, who, as a Finnish citizen, allegedly used the freedoms afforded to him to incite violence and sow discord against Nigeria.

With Ekpa’s arrest, Ohanaeze Ndigbo reiterates its strong opposition to the use of violence or separatism as a means to address grievances, reaffirming its commitment to peace and unity for the Igbo people.