The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by detained Nnamdi Kanu has again dissociated itself from Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In Exile (BRGIE) and his operations.

The media reported on Thursday that Finland district court in Lahti ordered that he should be remanded in prison following his arrest for suspected terrorist activities.

Reacting to his arrest, IPOB in a statement issued on Friday morning by its Media, and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, stated that Ekpa was never a member of IPOB, adding that he was not a registered member in any country including in Finland.

IPOB also disassociated itself from his BRGIE, adding that he was an agent paid to infiltrate and destroy the IPOB peaceful movement for Biafra self-determination.

The statement partly reads: “For public records, Simon Ekpa has never been a member of IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently being detained illegally in the DSS solitary confinement by the Nigerian Government since almost four years.”

Powerful noted that contrary to the disinformation from the BBC News report that Simon Ekpa is an IPOB leader, “Ekpa is not an IPOB member, let alone be a leader in IPOB.”

He said, “IPOB has some family units in Finland, and Simon Ekpa is not a registered member of any IPOB unit in Finland or any unit globally. Mazi Nnamdi Okwu 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.”

IPOB said though it has been provoked by various “murderous regimes” in Nigeria, it has “remained resolute and peaceful”.

It said, “On the other hand, Simon Ekpa was seen by some innocent Biafrans as someone sympathetic to the Biafra course. Until they discovered that he was a destructive. He recruited violent criminals to destabilize the South East Region in 2021.

“He is a self-acclaimed prime minister of a small group called 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 civilians in the Eastern Region in the name of Biafra agitation.

“IPOB family worldwide refused to accept that system to achieve Biafra freedom and sovereignty. His group and the Nigerian Army are responsible for many kidnappings, rapes, 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 Simon Ekpa-led group has no alliance or relationship with IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He recruited his criminals who have been terrorizing the Biafran territory since 2021 after the kidnap, extraordinary rendition, and illegal detention of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government and politicians whom Biafrans believe contracted Simon Ekpa has been tagging his group’s violent and terrorist activities on IPOB just to blackmail and demonize the genuine and peaceful Biafra self-determination struggle led by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

“IPOB is by this press release calling on BBC News and Finnish Authorities to note that Simon Ekpa has no relationship 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 led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a peaceful movement that has adopted civil disobedience to press our demand for Biafra’s self-determination and referendum. Unlike Simon Ekpa, who recruits and funds criminals who carry out killings of civilians and government agents, destroyed many homes in Biafra territory.”

IPOB warned that no person or institution should link Simon Ekpa and his group to IPOB, insisting that it has no relationship whatsoever with his group.

“Simon Ekpa has been shielded from arrest and terrorism charges against innocent Biafran civilians by the Nigerian and the Finnish governments’ diplomatic maneuvering. However, for every crime, there is a day of reckoning,” Powerful said.

Regarding Ekpa’s arrest, Powerful urged all IPOB members, ‘Biafrans’ and lovers of Biafra freedom to remain calm and focus on the ball, which is the release of Kanu from detention and the Biafra restoration project. “IPOB does not do violent agitation or violence against civilians. IPOB does not do violent agitation or violence against the Nigerian Security Forces or the sponsored infiltrator criminals represented by Simon Ekpa,” Powerful added.

The Senate, on Thursday, called on the Nigerian military to deploy sufficient personnel to reclaim Abadam and Marte Local Government Areas in Borno State, reportedly under the control of Boko Haram insurgents.

During Thursday’s plenary, the Senate acknowledged the significant sacrifices made by the military in combating insurgency but expressed concern over the lingering presence of Boko Haram in the two LGs.

This resolution followed a motion presented by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC – Borno North), titled “Need to Deploy Adequate Security Personnel to Endangered Local Government Areas in Borno State.”

Senator Monguno highlighted the challenges Borno State had faced due to prolonged insurgency, commending the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces in restoring relative peace.

However, he raised concerns about the lack of civil authority and military presence in Guzamala, Abadam, and Marte LGAs, which are predominantly agricultural communities.

Marte, in particular, is known for large-scale wheat and rice production.

Monguno stressed that the insecurity in these areas had caused severe hardship, disrupted local economies, and hindered infrastructure development.

He warned that the absence of security personnel might embolden insurgents to target surrounding communities, potentially reversing the gains made in securing the state.

Backing the motion, Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP – Delta North) emphasised the need for a national dialogue, led by the National Assembly, to understand the root causes of insecurity.

He argued that relying solely on military hardware like attack helicopters was insufficient, urging the government to create platforms for inclusive discussions involving all Nigerians.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC – Edo North) highlighted the need for effective legislative oversight, particularly concerning defence procurements.

He criticised the purchase of Tucano jets instead of attack helicopters, attributing the oversight failure to a lack of scrutiny.

Senator Ali Ndume (APC – Borno South) pointed out that while there was a task force operating in the Chad region, low morale among personnel remained a significant challenge.

He emphasised the importance of motivating security operatives and criticised the allocation of funds to non-critical areas amid the insecurity crisis.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, thanked Senator Monguno for the motion and commended the military for their sacrifices.

He called on security forces to restore peace to the affected areas, noting the international dimension of insecurity. Barau also praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address the issue on the global stage.

In its resolution, the Senate mandated its Committees on Army and Air Force to ensure the implementation of its call for reinforced security in Abadam and Marte LGAs.

The Arewa Consultative Forum has suspended its national chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman, for making what it describes as an authorised statement concerning the 2027 presidency.

Osuman was quoted as saying during the ACF National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday that the North would support a northern candidate for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the forum, through its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu and Secretary General, Murtala Aliyu, said Osuman made the statements without consulting or discussing with other leaders and members of the ACF, adding that the statements made only reflected his personal opinion.

ACF, therefore, announced the suspension of Osuman as Chairman with immediate effect and also constituted a Committee to investigate the infractions.

“ACF rejects Mr. Mamman Mike Osuman’s statements in their entirety. For this reason, the leadership of the ACF’s Board of Trustees (BOT) and that of its NEC has decided to place Mamman Mike Osuman on suspension with immediate effect,” the statement read.