The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have distanced themselves from Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), following his arrest by Finnish authorities on charges related to terrorism. Ekpa was apprehended alongside four others, with Finnish police accusing him of “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while the others were arrested for “financing a terrorist crime.”
According to Finnish authorities, the investigation centers on a Nigerian-born Finnish citizen, suspected of using social media to promote violent acts in Southeast Nigeria. Ekpa is accused of inciting violence against civilians and authorities in the region.
In response to Ekpa’s arrest, IPOB issued a statement through its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, condemning his actions and disassociating the group from him. IPOB accused Ekpa of recruiting violent individuals to destabilize the Southeast and creating a group called the Biafra Liberation Army, which has been involved in violent activities under the guise of Biafran self-determination.
IPOB clarified that Ekpa is not, and has never been, a member of the organization. The group emphasized that IPOB, founded by Nnamdi Kanu, is a peaceful movement advocating for Biafra’s independence through a UN-supervised referendum. IPOB also rejected claims by some media outlets, including the BBC, that linked Ekpa to the group.
The statement condemned Ekpa for his violent actions, including the recruitment of criminals, and for his role in various criminal activities in the region, including kidnappings, rapes, and killings. IPOB stressed that Ekpa’s actions and his association with the BRGIE do not align with the peaceful values of the IPOB, which continues to reject violent methods in its pursuit of Biafran self-determination.
IPOB further called on the BBC and Finnish authorities to ensure that Simon Ekpa’s name is not associated with the peaceful Biafra movement, and to recognize that his actions represent a criminal agenda rather than the genuine cause of Biafra freedom. The group also urged members and supporters to remain calm and focused on their objective—the peaceful restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra.
