The arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian dual citizen, last week has sparked debates across Southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities detained Ekpa and four others for spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting violence, particularly targeting civilians and public authorities in the region. Ekpa allegedly used his social media platforms to encourage violence in the name of the Biafran independence cause.
This arrest comes amid rising insecurity in the Southeast, where armed groups, claiming to support Biafran independence, have been terrorizing the region. These groups are often associated with enforcing a Monday sit-at-home order that was first introduced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a way to push for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu. However, IPOB has distanced itself from Ekpa, making it clear that he is not a member of their group.
Despite Ekpa’s arrest, many Southeast leaders believe that the real solution to the region’s violence is the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Abia South Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe stated that Kanu’s release would help distinguish between genuine Biafra agitators and the criminals who have been using the Biafran cause to justify violent actions. Abaribe argued that once Kanu is released, those using violence as an excuse will lose their rationale for their actions.
Others, like retired U.S. Army captain Bishop Johnson, also weighed in on the situation. Johnson suggested that if Ekpa were held accountable in Finland, it could lead to a reduction in the violence coming from his supporters in the Southeast. He cautioned, however, that if Ekpa were extradited to Nigeria and treated poorly—similar to Kanu’s treatment—this could worsen the situation and fuel further unrest in the region.
Osita Okechukwu, a former Director General of Voice of Nigeria and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, added his voice to the call for Ekpa’s punishment. He criticized Ekpa’s violent approach and the damage it had caused to the Southeast. Okechukwu advocated for peaceful solutions to the region’s problems and demanded Ekpa be sentenced for his role in inciting violence.
