Ohanaeze seeks arrest and repatriation of Simo Ekpa over the renewed killings and violence in the south east.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Igbo apex socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called for the arrest and repatriation of factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Simon Ekpa, over the killings and destruction in the Southeast.
Ohanaeze which made the call on Monday, December 12, 2022, through the Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, identified Ekpa as one of those instigating the killings and destructions in the Southeast.
The organisation therefore demanded his arrest and extradition to answer charges over the renewed violence in the region. Ekpa is currently based in Finland where he enjoys a citizenship and claims to be agitating for the independence of a separate state of Biafra.
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Recall that Ekpa recently declared a five-day sit-at-home across the Southeast which led to the loss of many lives and destruction of properties in course of the enforcement of the order by his followers.
The faction of the IPOB led by the detained Nnamdi Kanu, however, distanced itself from the order by Ekpa while urging residents of the region to go about their activities.
A statement by Isiguzoro said Ohanaeze would liaise with the Finish Embassy and relevant authorities to ensure that Ekpa is arrested and repatriated to Nigeria to face the consequences of his actions.
The statement reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has commenced the processes of making sure that those responsible for the pandemonium, destruction of public properties, killings, and civil unrest in the southeast will face the consequences of their actions, the incitement of chaos, and their contributions towards the insecurity challenges in the Southeast.
“Ndigbo has identified Simon Ekpa as the overseas provocateur and instigator for the current killings in Imo state, the destruction of public properties in Enugu State, and disturbance of public peace and sporadic shootings in Ebonyi State.”
“Ndigbo will liaise with relevant organizations, Finish Embassy in Nigeria, and Nigerians in Diaspora to seek ways to bring Simon Ekpa back to Nigeria to face prosecution and trials over the killings of south easterners, burning of public properties and the disturbances of public peace.
“The so-called self-acclaimed Biafran agitator is championing the disruption of election processes in the southeast, with evil decrees against the collection of PVCs in the southeast, and institute an illegal but violent Sit at homes, to undermine the economy of Ndigbo in this festive season and stimulate violence, massacres, and chaos as Christmas gifts for Ndigbo.
“Ndigbo call for the immediate arrest, and repatriation of Simon Ekpa, to Nigeria. He’s a trickery man and criminal hiding behind Finish citizenship and Biafra agitation to wreak havoc, extort monies from Nigerians abroad, and influence the insecurity challenges against Ndigbo.
“This is the height of deception and treachery against Ndigbo, and the immediate arrest of Simon Ekpa will end up insecurity challenges in the east and serve as a deterrent to others, who might want to consider being a menace to the public, particularly to the people of the southeast.”