Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South has expressed his approval of the recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra in exile, describing it as a significant and positive development.
Abaribe emphasized that Ekpa’s activities have been detrimental, labeling him as a “content creator” whose actions incite violence and chaos in the South-East region of Nigeria.
In a statement made during an interview on Channels Television, Abaribe urged the South-East to take proactive steps towards its own development instead of relying on favorable treatment from the federal government.
Prominent Igbo leaders and organizations echoed these sentiments, hailing Ekpa’s detention as a positive development. They urged Finnish authorities to sustain his custody and expedite his extradition to Nigeria for prosecution. Some even proposed parading him through South-East towns before legal proceedings, reflecting the deep-seated grievances against his actions.
Simon Ekpa, a divisive figure in the Biafran independence movement, was apprehended in Finland by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation on charges of terrorism intent and incitement to violence. His incendiary rhetoric and calls for civil disobedience, such as the contentious sit-at-home orders, have been linked to widespread insecurity, economic disruptions, and civilian casualties in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Although Ekpa claimed to lead a faction of IPOB, the group has disavowed him, asserting that his violent agenda runs counter to their pursuit of peaceful independence. His rise to prominence followed the 2021 arrest of IPOB’s founder, Nnamdi Kanu, but his polarizing tactics drew criticism from both IPOB and external observers.
Business leaders in the South-East have expressed relief over Ekpa’s arrest, blaming him for exacerbating regional insecurity and stalling economic growth. Nigerian authorities have welcomed the move as a significant victory against terrorism and are working to extradite Ekpa for prosecution. Previous attempts to hold him accountable were complicated by his status as a Finnish citizen.
The arrest has sparked hope among local leaders for a potential reduction in violence and a renewed opportunity for stability and development in the region. However, the true impact of this high-profile arrest remains to be seen.
