THE Igbo apex socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called for the arrest and prosecution of Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, over the recent killings and destruction in the Southeast following his (Ekpa’s) declaration of a five-day sit-at-home.
The organisation’s Secretary General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said Ekpa should be arrested and repatriated to Nigeria for prosecution over the violence in the Southeast, saying he is one of those instigating the killings and destructions in the zone, despite IPOB distancing itself from Ekpa’s order and urging residents to go about their activities.
Isiguzoro, in a statement, said Ohanaeze would liaise with the Finish Embassy and relevant authorities to ensure that Ekpa is arrested and repatriated to Nigeria to face the consequences of his actions, noting: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has commenced the processes of making sure that those responsible for the pandemonium, destruction of public properties, killings, and civil unrest in the southeast will face the consequences of their actions, the incitement of chaos, and their contributions towards the insecurity challenges in the Southeast.
“Ndigbo has identified Simon Ekpa as the overseas provocateur and instigator for the current killings in Imo state, the destruction of public properties in Enugu State, and disturbance of public peace and sporadic shootings in Ebonyi State.”
“Ndigbo will liaise with relevant organisations, Finish Embassy in Nigeria and Nigerians in Diaspora to seek ways to bring Simon Ekpa back to Nigeria to face prosecution and trials over the killings of south easterners, burning of public properties and the disturbances of public peace.”
Isiguzoro accused Ekpa of issuing evil decrees against the collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in the Southeast, describing him as a criminal hiding under the Finish citizenship and Biafra agitation to wreak havoc and extort monies from Nigerians abroad.
“The so-called self-acclaimed Biafran agitator is championing the disruption of election processes in the Southeast, with evil decrees against the collection of PVCs in the Southeast, and institute an illegal but violent Sit at homes, to undermine the economy of Ndigbo in this festive seasons and stimulate violence, massacres, and chaos as Christmas gifts for Ndigbo.
“Ndigbo calls for the immediate arrest and repatriation of Simon Ekpa to Nigeria. He’s a trickery man and criminal hiding behind Finish citizenship and Biafra agitation to wreak havoc, extort monies from Nigerians abroad and influence the insecurity challenges against Ndigbo.
“This is the height of deception and treachery against Ndigbo and the immediate arrest of Simon Ekpa will end up insecurity challenges in the east and serve as a deterrent to others, who might want to consider being a menace to the public, particularly to the people of the southeast,” the statement added.
