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.