*Nigerians hail arrest
By Emeka Ugwuanyi
Igbo born Finland based Biafran agitator turned terrorist, Simon Ekpa, has reportedly been arrested by the Finnish police.
Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed spokesperson for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and disciple of IPOB Nnamdi Kanu, had released a video that went viral on social media platforms ordering total lockdown in Southeast of Nigeria (Igboland) from February 23 to 28.
The pronouncement didn’t go down well with southeasterners and the Federal Government as what that entails is disenfranchising the entire people of southeast of their right to vote their candidates vying for President and national assembly. Ekpa threatened in the video that there would be no elections in Igboland (Southeast Nigeria) and whoever goes against the order would be dealt with ruthlessly.
It is in view of this development that the Federal Government of Nigeria invited the ambassador of Finland for talks even as Nigerians in Finland protested and kicked against such destructive and autocratic order to a people in a democratic environment.
Ekpa, according to reports, was picked up from his apartment in Lahti region of Finland by officers from the Finnish Central Criminal Police in the early hours of Thursday.
Ekpa has allegedly been accused of masterminding and sponsoring dreaded activities of “unknown gunmen” who unleash deadly acts southeasterners – maiming, killing and destruction of properties among others.
According to reports, the arrest of Simon Ekpa was confirmed in a telephone chat with Obi West, President, Igbo Community in Finland. He noted that he was arrested following series of protest letters by the Nigerian Government.
Ekpa rose to prominence in July 2021 after he was announced as the lead broadcaster of Radio Biafra but currently he has appropriated the powers of the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the secretary, Emma Powerful.
Taking to his Facebook wall, the human right lawyer and National Legal Adviser at African Action Congress (ACC), Mr. Inibehe Effiong, wrote: “Ekpa, the Spokesman and factional leader of IPOB, has been reportedly arrested by the Finnish authorities. If this is true, it is a good development.
“You don’t hide in your comfort zone abroad inciting violence in the name of Biafra. Even if there’s going to ever be a referendum on the issue of Biafra (which is unlikely), it can only happen through a constitutional process.
“The idea of “Biafra independence” without recourse to the National Assembly and the constitutional process in Nigeria is untenable. You cannot have Biafra by forcing people to boycott elections and sit at home.
“That is not the solution.
“We fought a brutal civil war in this country for three horrendous years. Personally, I don’t believe in balkanizing Nigeria. But I have always spoken in favour of the right of people to self-determination; through peaceful and democratic means.
“What we should fight for is credible leadership.
“Chinua Achebe was right in his diagnosis of the trouble with Nigeria: it is squarely that of leadership. I encourage Nigerians to go out and vote. Vote for hope. Vote for a new dawn.”
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