Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, has alleged that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), described his actions as mere “content creation.”
Ekpa was arrested in Finland last week and subsequently sent
to prison by the Päijät-Häme district court for allegedly spreading terrorist propaganda through social media.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Monday, Abaribe welcomed Ekpa’s arrest, asserting that the development exposes the true nature of his activities. According to the senator, Ekpa admitted during proceedings that his actions were staged.
“This will inform those at home who have been misled by Simon Ekpa’s violent rhetoric to see that he himself admitted he’s just a content creator,” Abaribe said.
He further criticized Ekpa’s actions, emphasizing that they contradict the values of the Igbo people. Abaribe argued that criminals have hijacked legitimate agitations for self-determination in the southeast to commit acts of violence.
“What has happened is that a legitimate quest by IPOB for a non-violent referendum has been derailed by kidnappers and criminals exploiting the name of Biafra. To the average Igbo person, when you hear ‘Biafra,’ you think it’s a noble cause. But what we are seeing is a group of criminals,” he explained.
The senator also lamented the difficulty faced by security agencies in distinguishing between genuine agitators and criminal elements, leading to a generalized approach to handling security challenges in the southeast.
Abaribe argued that resolving the crisis requires the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained IPOB leader. He expressed confidence that Kanu’s release would diminish the influence of those using his name to justify acts of violence.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s release is critical. Many of those currently perpetrating violence under his name would lose their justification to continue if he is freed,” Abaribe said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has been seeking Ekpa’s extradition from Finland, where he holds dual citizenship, to face prosecution for his activities.
