IPOB demands justice for victims of Simon Ekpa’s alleged atrocities in Southeast

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called for justice for victims allegedly killed under the directives of Simon Ekpa, who was recently arrested by Finnish authorities on terror-related charges.

The group, in a statement on its official X account (@ipob_central) on Thursday, accused Ekpa of orchestrating violence to enforce his controversial directives in Nigeria’s Southeast region.

IPOB specifically alleged that Ekpa claimed responsibility for the murder of seven civilians, including a pregnant woman, simply because they defied his stay-at-home orders.

“Simon Ekpa claimed responsibility for the murder of seven civilians, including a pregnant woman. Their only crime was refusing his order to stay at home,” IPOB stated.

The group condemned Ekpa’s alleged tactics, accusing him of resorting to violence when persuasion fails. “When he fails to persuade people with strong arguments about the necessity of civil disobedience, he resorts to violence to instill fear,” IPOB alleged.

READ ALSO: IPOB urges Southeast residents to ignore Sit-at-Home order

The statement further accused Ekpa of being a pawn in a larger conspiracy to destabilize the Southeast, claiming, “

He was recruited by some Nigerian politicians to destabilize the Alaigbo region. No reasonable freedom fighter would harm their people. He must face justice.”

IPOB recounted an instance in July 2023 when Ekpa reportedly ordered an illegal sit-at-home protest across the Southeast, threatening severe punishment for violators.

According to IPOB, this act caused widespread disruption and fear, with alleged violent reprisals against those who refused to comply.

“Civil disobedience is a choice left for a citizen who feels unjustly oppressed, not an order to be enforced through violence. Simon Ekpa’s atrocities and violent crimes against the innocent people of the Southeast are numerous,” the statement read.

The group emphasized that the Southeast has overwhelmingly rejected Ekpa’s methods and self-imposed authority, denouncing his actions as antithetical to the region’s quest for justice and self-determination.

Ekpa’s arrest by Finnish authorities marks a significant development in the international scrutiny of his activities. IPOB insists that his alleged involvement in violent crimes, including the murder of civilians, must not go unpunished.

The group’s call has reignited debates about the impact of violent enforcement of civil disobedience orders on the Southeast’s struggle for autonomy and peace, with observers noting the need for accountability and justice for the victims.