The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has welcomed the Finnish Court’s verdict approving the extradition of Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, to Nigeria.
The development is seen as a significant triumph for the South-East region, marking a crucial step towards restoring peace and dignity.
In a statement signed by the Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Spokesman, Chief Thompson Ohia, Ohanaeze Ndigbo commended the Federal Government, particularly the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, for their tireless efforts in combating criminality and insecurity in the region.
The organisation noted that Ekpa’s orchestrated campaign of terror, including the enforcement of an illegal “sit-at-home” directive and violent incursions against innocent lives in South-East, has caused immense harm to the communities and led to significant socio-economic disintegration.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasised that Ekpa’s prosecution would serve as a deterrence to individuals or groups engaged in unauthorised armed conflicts or terrorism within the South-East.
The group lauded President Bola Tinubu for his support in facilitating Ekpa’s extradition and anticipated his trial by July 2025.
The organisation unequivocally denounced Simon Ekpa as a common criminal who has brought shame and disgrace to the Igbo community, asserting that the Igbo people have never supported his criminal conspiracies or violent acts.
The statement read: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo boldly articulates that Simon Ekpa epitomizes an opportunist masquerading as a freedom fighter, ultimately revealing his true self as a mere social media content creator when apprehended abroad. His veiled intentions have laid waste to our collective spirit and hindered our aspirations for economic growth and social advancement. His rogue faction, known infamously as ‘the Autopilot,’ has engaged in heinous acts of terror under the guise of Biafran agitation, and it is essential that he faces justice for the turmoil he has caused.
“Let it be unequivocally noted that the Igbo people harbor no sympathy for Simon Ekpa; indeed, we denounce him as a common criminal who has brought shame and disgrace not only upon himself and his immediate kin but upon all of Ndigbo. Therefore, we declare once more, with unwavering conviction, that at no time has the Igbo community supported his criminal conspiracies or violent acts. Let him face the full weight of justice for the grievous consequences of his actions against our people.”