By Alex Odeh
The pan Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for its unwavering commitment and efforts that led to the incarceration of Simon Njoku Ekpa in Finland, where he has been sentenced for six years for terrorism-related offenses.
Ohanaeze in a press statement issued yesterday in Abakaliki and signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President General and Chief Thompson Ohia, National Spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, re-affirmed that the people of southeast stand united against violence and are advocate for a nonviolent approach toward self-determination.
According to Ohanaeze, Simon Ekpa’s incarceration should serve as a clarion call for all armed Biafra agitators to surrender their arms, abandon the concealment of violence in the Southeast’s bushes, and seek rehabilitation and reintegration back into society.
The statement reads: “The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, feels both duty-bound and morally obligated to express profound gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria for its relentless efforts aimed at alleviating the pressing security challenges facing the Southeast.
“We celebrate the significant milestone represented by the incarceration of Simon Njoku Ekpa in Finland, where he has justly received a six-year sentence for terrorism-related offenses. This pivotal event not only underscores the international community’s recognition of the threat posed by Ekpa but also signals a decisive step toward restoring peace and security in our region.
“The Southeast region, along with the entirety of the Igbo race, stands indebted to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawelle; and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. Their concerted efforts have been instrumental in bringing to an end the devastating Monday sit-at-home protests and combating the broader issues of terrorism and insecurity that our communities and region have faced.
“With the Finnish government’s recent sentencing of Simon Ekpa, our collective stance is unequivocal: the people of the Southeast do not endorse any form of armed struggle or terrorism in the name of Biafra agitation. We stand united against violence and advocate for a nonviolent path toward self-determination. We convey this uncompromising truth with utmost candor and respect towards the Federal Government.
“It is vital to emphasize that there exists a segment of repentant, peaceful, and nonviolent pro-Biafra agitators who are ready and willing to assist the Federal Government in its endeavors to eradicate the insecurity plaguing the Southeast.
“This represents a prime opportunity for the Federal Government to adopt the “Carrots and Sticks” approach, as famously employed by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua that ended Niger-Delta Militancy in 2008. Engaging with these repentant agitators through constructive dialogue could effectively address the underlying grievances of the Southeast and mitigate any further unrest.
“We earnestly appeal to all Biafra agitators, particularly those misled by Simon Ekpa into armed struggle, to lay down their weapons and embrace the path of peace. It is widely recognized that many within Ekpa’s ranks are educated graduates and budding entrepreneurs who were ensnared by deceptive narratives regarding an illusory and nonexistent Biafra Republic.
“This serves as a renewed clarion call—a rallying cry for all armed Biafra agitators to surrender their arms, abandon the concealment of violence in the Southeast’s bushes, and seek rehabilitation and reintegration back into society.
“The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo assures these individuals that we will advocate to the Federal Government for the establishment of specialized rehabilitation and youth empowerment programs tailored for repentant Biafra agitators.
“Simon Ekpa’s six-year imprisonment heralds a new chapter for the people of the Southeast. The Igbos are immensely grateful to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Dr. Bello Matawelle, and General Christopher Musa for dismantling the reign of terror that Ekpa perpetuated through his misguided agitation. While we acknowledge that many Igbo political leaders, including governors, may hesitantly voice their approval of Ekpa’s sentence, we know that, in private, they share in the collective appreciation for the Federal Government’s landmark achievements in confronting the challenges of insecurity in the Southeast.
“In closing, let us all work together towards a peaceful, secure, and prosperous future for the Southeastern region, fostering unity and understanding while firmly rejecting any forms of violence and terror”, they admonished.
