Ohanaeze: Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Huge Relief for Ndigbo, Agitator Imprisoned in Finland

*Faces charges of terrorism, military reacts 

Chuks Okocha, Linus Aleke in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki 

The apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has described the arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Biafran independence movement, as a huge relief for the Ndigbo.

The organization said Ekpa’s arrest marked a significant milestone in the collective journey towards healing and reconciliation.

A Finnish court had sent Ekpa to prison for spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.

A district court of Päijät-Häme remanded him after the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested him alongside four other men over alleged terrorist offences.

The Nigerian military, however, reacted to the report of his arrest, saying it was elated about the development. 

In a statement by the Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group noted that arrest and detention of Ekpa was expected to resolve the pervasive insecurity challenges that have beleaguered Southeastern Nigeria for far too long.

Isiguzoro added that Ekpa’s intention to publicly declare a Sovereign Biafra Nation on December 2, 2024 was not only misguided but indicative of a reckless disregard for the profound consequences such a declaration would evoke.

“His intentions could have sparked uncontrollable civil unrest and perhaps culminated in another Biafran War, a prospect that the Igbo people have conclusively rejected and remain unprepared to engage in. 

“The echoes of the previous conflict, which left indelible scars on our history, stand as a stark reminder of the devastation war brings.

“Upon this crucial arrest, Ohanaeze Ndigbo categorically denounces the notion that individuals like Simon Ekpa possess the capability or legitimacy to summon the Igbo Nation into a conflict.

“This organisation acknowledges Ekpa’s disturbing record over the last three years, wherein he has systematically wreaked havoc upon the very fabric of our society and economy, implementing his illegitimate Monday Sit-At-Home directive with the aid of armed men, who have terrorised our communities.

“The financial toll from these activities is staggering, amounting to a loss of over 22 trillion naira in investment opportunities, thereby stifling the economic viability of our region.”

Ohanaeze said it was compelled to express its longstanding suspicions regarding the Finnish government’s inaction regarding Simon Ekpa’s activities over the past three years. 

“As a Finnish citizen, he exploited the freedoms offered within that society to orchestrate broadcasts that incited violence and animosity against the very nation in which he resides. 

“It is a matter of profound concern for all of us that mercenaries, veiled as agitators, infringe upon our quest for peace while undermining our autonomy,” Ohanaeze said.

It stressed that the Ndigbo sought a restructured Nigeria that would foster peace, dialogue, and development, rather than retracing steps towards conflict. 

Ekpa Sent to Prison over Terrorism Charges

A Finnish court has sent separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, to prison for spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.

A district court of Päijät-Häme remanded him after the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested him alongside four other men over alleged terrorist offences.

The self-declared Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in exile was said to have committed the crime in 2021 in Lahti municipality.

According to a local report, the Central Criminal Police in Finland confirmed the arrest in a statement on its website on Thursday.

The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while “four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.

“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation. Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21,″ the statement added.

There had been calls for the arrest of the separatist following his alleged involvement in the Sit-At-Home that has relatively crippled economic activities in the South East.

The Finnish government had Tuesday said it had started acting on the complaint by the Nigerian government against a Nigerian – Finnish citizen, Simon Ekpa, accused of leading brutal pro-Biafra secessionist campaigns in Nigeria’s South-east region.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Elina Valtonen, said in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, during a press conference she addressed alongside her Nordic counterparts, that Mr Ekpa’s case was now before Finnish courts.

“We have taken this up and discussed this with the Nigerian authorities… and the entire process is within our judicial system,” Ms Valtomen said, informing the gathering that the issue came up during a meeting with Nigerian government officials on Tuesday.

She did not provide details of the legal process.

Military Reacts, Says Its Elated About Devt

The Nigerian military has reacted to report on the arrest of Simon Ekpa. 

Responding to the news in a telephone chat with THISDAY, the Director Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the High Command of the Nigerian military was elated about the development. 

“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, has always called for the arrest of Simon Ekpa following his deep involvement in fueling terrorism in South-east Nigeria. We are delighted about his arrest,” he said.