Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Biafra Government in Exile, is facing scrutiny from his followers over the funds he solicited to purchase armory and warships.
Ekpa has long rallied supporters with promises of advanced weaponry for the planned Biafra declaration on December 2, 2024. However, he has yet to show any evidence of these acquisitions.
In a March 4, 2024, post, Ekpa addressed the Biafra conflict, alleging violent acts against Biafran youth and calling out a Kuwaiti connection. He referenced a recorded conversation with Chinasa Nwaoru, in which Nwaoru reportedly boasted about attacking a police station in Ogidi and killing Biafran youths in Aba, Abia State. Ekpa called for Nigerian authorities to question the Kuwaiti ambassador over alleged connections, stating, “You can’t kill Biafra and go free. My job is to fight the killers of Biafra.”
One of his followers on X (formerly Twitter), user @datprudentokwuy, questioned him directly, asking, “Please, where is the armored tank and warship you told us you are buying with our fundraising money?” Ekpa responded curtly, dismissing the query with a personal retort and said; In your papa grave. Na ilu nnagi
This is not the first time Ekpa has made claims about military support. On October 20, 2022, he announced that North Korea had agreed to sell the Biafra government fighter jets, warships, and various arms, encouraging his followers to donate to meet the alleged cost. “Breaking News: North Korean President Kim Jong-un has agreed to sell us fighter jets, warships, and weapons. We need more support financially to complete the payment,” he posted at the time.
Recently, Ekpa escalated his rhetoric, calling for a “sit-at-home” protest across the region, which he says is in preparation for launching armory, warships, and fighter jets by December. He even shared an altered image of an armory supposedly from Togo’s “Attaque Terroriste à Kpendajah,” though this was quickly identified as fake.
Ekpa continues to fuel discussions about Biafra independence, stating that the struggle could last for up to 23 more years if needed. His statements and tactics remain controversial, as he leads a faction connected to civil unrest in Nigeria’s South-East region, with critics questioning both the transparency and legitimacy of his military promises.
