The recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra in exile, has stirred significant developments in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Residents have begun resisting the contentious sit-at-home orders he championed, though fear of violent reprisals still looms large in some areas.
Reports indicate that states like Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu have increasingly moved past Ekpa’s directives. Many locals believe that the intervention by the Finnish authorities, who detained Ekpa on charges of terrorism and incitement to violence, marked a turning point. A resident speaking to NN News Media credited the Finnish government for addressing what they described as a long-standing impediment to peace and normalcy in the region.
However, in areas like Ihiala, Anambra State, adherence to the sit-at-home order remains partial. Locals there admitted that the lingering threat of attacks by unidentified gunmen compels them to stay indoors despite their desire to resume daily activities.
Prominent Igbo leaders and organizations have welcomed Ekpa’s arrest, urging Finnish authorities to ensure his continued detention and expedite his extradition to Nigeria. Some have even suggested a symbolic public parade of Ekpa across South-East towns before his trial, underscoring the deep frustrations his actions have sparked within the region.
Ekpa, a polarizing figure within the Biafran independence movement, rose to prominence following the 2021 arrest of IPOB’s founder, Nnamdi Kanu. While Ekpa claims to lead a faction of IPOB, the group has disavowed him, citing his violent agenda as contrary to their aim of peaceful independence. His rhetoric and calls for civil disobedience, particularly the disruptive sit-at-home orders, have been linked to widespread insecurity, economic stagnation, and civilian casualties across the South-East.
Business leaders in the region have expressed relief over Ekpa’s detention, accusing him of stifling economic progress and exacerbating instability. Nigerian authorities have hailed his arrest as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, with plans to extradite him for prosecution. Earlier efforts to bring him to justice were complicated by his Finnish citizenship.
Despite the initial optimism, local leaders acknowledge that the full impact of Ekpa’s arrest remains uncertain. Many are cautiously hopeful that his detention will pave the way for reduced violence, improved security, and renewed opportunities for growth and development in South-East Nigeria. For now, the region continues to monitor the unfolding situation closely.
