Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), seems to be more of a concern to the Nigerian government and the military following his disadvantageous influence in the southeast, especially in recent times.
Since the incarceration of Kanu, Ekpa has been at the forefront of the sit-at-home order which has significantly paralysed economic activities in the region.
This, of course, is apart from Ekpa’s support for constant attacks from IPOB members on innocent citizens and persons perceived as enemies of their divisive cause across the southeast.
In fact, Ekpa’s pronouncement and influence have gotten the attention of the military, such that Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Tajudeen A. Lagbaja on Thursday, July 13, ordered the deployment of troops to the southeast to subdue IPOB’s activities.
However, the following recent comments from Ekpa call for urgent responses from the military and other security agencies.
“Peter Obi is IPOB’s spokesman”
In response to Peter Obi’s position on Thursday that the sit-at-home order is criminal, Ekpa via Twitter the same day claimed that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate is a spokesman of the proscribed group.
This is an allegation that demands urgent investigation which can only be thorough when and if the outlawed Igbo man is arrested and charged to court.
“Nigeria is an Islamic State”
In response to Major General Lagbaja’s order for troop’s deployment to the southeast, Ekpa in a tweet on Friday, July 14, claimed again that Nigeria is an Islamic state.
Ekpa also referred to the Nigerian Army as being run by terrorists.
He tweeted: “Tell the Islamic state army Chief that his planned invasion will be met with the highest resistance so far. We call on Biafrans to take note of the threat and remain indoors during the sit-at-home and also be vigilant. The terrorists @HQNigerianArmy is not your friend as you all know.”
“Nigeria is going down”
The secessionist also opined that Nigeria is going down by the minute and rejoiced in this rather evil wish.
His words: “My fellow Biafrans, I call on you today to remain strong, Nigeria is going down by the minute. Our freedom is here. I take solace from Bangladesh Liberation. I urge you to go read the history of Bangladesh liberation.”
There is no room to doubt that Ekpa is more than dangerous and guilty of treasonable felony, apart from being culpable of the many, unprovoked killings carried out by non-state actors like himself.
It will do the southeast, and of course Nigeria, great good if Ekpa is tracked, arrested, and put behind bars.
