Simon Ekpa announces total lockdown in Southeast states to demand release of Nnamdi Kanu

Simon Ekpa announces total lockdown in Southeast states to demand release of Nnamdi Kanu

Biafra agitator and Finland-based lawyer who also serves as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government, Simon Ekpa, on Wednesday announced a weeklong sit-at-home to demand the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra. Simon Ekpa in a statement disclosed that there will be a sit-at-home from July 3rd to 10th, 2023 which is a necessary step for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu and in preparation for Biafra’s referendum. Simon Ekpa announces total lockdown in Southeast states to demand release of Nnamdi KanuSimeon Ekpa He urged all market leaders, companies and individuals in the southeast to comply. “The Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE) and Biafra De Facto Government-In-Homeland wish to notify Biafrans that there will be sit-at-home civil disobedience starting from 3rd July 2023 to 10th July 2023. There will be a break on 6th July 2023, where all Biafran markets will be open. The sit-at-home is for the following reasons: “Demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who remains illegally detained at the DSS dungeon; In preparation for Biafra’s self-referendum; To further put the world on notice that Biafrans are taking their future into their own hands; To demonstrate that the Biafra Republic Government In Exile remains the only legitimate government to whom the Biafran people listen and are loyal; To invalidate the illegitimacy of those who parade themselves as Nigeria’s representatives within the Biafran territory. “The sit-at-home will therefore take place in the following order: Monday 3rd July 2023 to Wednesday 5th July 2023, there will be total lockdown in Biafraland; Thursday 6th July 2023 (Break), all Biafran markets will open; Friday 7th July 2023 to Monday 10th July 2023, there will be total lockdown in Biafraland. “We hereby call on all market leaders to strictly adhere to this order and treat it with utmost seriousness. We also call on all oil companies operating in the Biafran territory to shut down oil exploration on these dates to avoid the anger of the Biafran people, which may come with heavy consequences” the statement read.

IPOB debunks sit-at-home order in Lagos, separates self from Simon Ekpa

IPOB debunks sit-at-home order in Lagos, separates self from Simon Ekpa

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) dissociates itself from Simon Ekpa’s call for an Igbo sit-at-home in Lagos, stating that it is a ploy to demonize their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB debunks sit-at-home order in Lagos, separates self from Simon Ekpa

On Tuesday, Simon Ekpa announced that there would be a forthcoming sit-at-home for Igbo traders in Lagos after some shops at Balogun market were burned down. However, IPOB, via its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, declared on Thursday that it had no association with the proposed sit-at-home. The statement also indicated that Ekpa is not a member of the group and warned that legal action would be taken against media organizations that link him to the self-determination movement. IPOB Statement on Lagos Sit-At-Home “The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu has been drawn to the laughable and disgraceful statement making rounds that IPOB issued a sit-at-home order in Lagos State,” the statement said. “The statement is false, laughable, and coming from the quarters of blackmailers to disparage IPOB and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. “IPOB has never issued any sit-at-home order outside Biafra Land. Anyone issuing any sit-at-home orders in Biafra or in Lagos is on his or her own and not doing so on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu or of IPOB. “Therefore, IPOB publicly disassociate ourselves from any purported sit-at-home call in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria, including Biafra Land at this time.” It said further, “IPOB has no faction, let alone have a factional leader. The chief infiltrator in Finland has been ignored by Biafrans in his mindless sit at homes in the East; perhaps he thinks Ndigbo in Lagos will be so daft to obey his sit-at-home order in Lagos. We know our people are wise. “From today onwards any media outfit in Nigeria whether print media, online news, or others anywhere in the world, that makes the mistake of tagging Simon Ekpa and ‘autopilot’ as IPOB members or Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s disciple again must be ready to meet us in the law courts; Enough is enough!” “Simon Ekpa or autopilot group are on their own. We are not the same people. We are a peaceful movement seeking the freedom of Biafra through an UN-supervised referendum,” IPOB added.  

IPOB leader Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland

IPOB leader Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland

Simon Ekpa, a prominent Biafran separatist and IPOB leader, arrested in Finland two days prior to Nigeria’s general elections.

Biafra: Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland

According to Tommi Reen, a criminal investigator at the Central Criminal Police in Finland, the National Bureau of Investigation conducted a police operation in a private residence in Lahti, which was connected to an ongoing preliminary investigation. Reen did not provide additional details on the matter. The Nigerian government had requested that Finland take action against Ekpa’s activities, and the Finnish ambassador met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama, last week. Ekpa, a Finland-based lawyer and former athlete, has been vocal about his opposition to the country’s leadership and unity, advocating for the establishment of the Republic of Biafra. The IPOB leader’s speeches have been linked by security and intelligence services to kidnappings and murders in the South-East region of Nigeria.

Biafran separatist Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland

IPOB leader Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland

Simon Ekpa, a prominent Biafran separatist, has been arrested in Finland two days prior to Nigeria’s general elections.

Biafra: Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland

According to Tommi Reen, a criminal investigator at the Central Criminal Police in Finland, the National Bureau of Investigation conducted a police operation in a private residence in Lahti, which was connected to an ongoing preliminary investigation. Reen did not provide additional details on the matter. The Nigerian government had requested that Finland take action against Ekpa’s activities, and the Finnish ambassador met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama, last week. Ekpa, a Finland-based lawyer and former athlete, has been vocal about his opposition to the country’s leadership and unity, advocating for the establishment of the Republic of Biafra. His speeches have been linked by security and intelligence services to kidnappings and murders in the South-East region of Nigeria.