In a statement, yesterday, by the Secretary General of the factional Igbo organisation, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said that Federal Government has been notified officially that Simon Ekpa is responsible for increased violence, killings of Igbo and Nigerians in South East, and should be arraigned by the Government of Finland, where he is based, and Federal Government without delay before he escapes from that country.
Isiguzoro said: “Ndigbo have advised Federal Government to know that dialogue with the Finnish Embassy in Nigeria is not enough to curb terrorism being sponsored by self-acclaimed Biafra provocateur, Ekpa.
“Ndigbo have assembled documents proving that Ekpa is sponsoring killing of Igbo and Nigerians, especially security agents, burning of public properties, disruption of economic and social activities in the region in the last six months.
“Ndigbo will collaborate with other Nigerians to apprehend those who are seen to be enforcing Ekpa’s sit-at-home from February 23 to 28 in an attempt to disrupt the coming presidential elections on February 25 and hand them over to security agencies.
“Elections must hold in the region, as Ekpa is working with Igbo adversaries to ambush their votes.
“Ndigbo were surprised that after Ekpa tendered his secret apologies to Igbo leaders for atrocities he claimed he committed unknowingly against them and South East, he went ahead with his earlier plans to scuttle elections in the region after he has been compromised. This must be resisted as local vigilantes and community-based security outfits must join hands in efforts to stamp out terrorism and banditry in the region.
“Federal Government should continue to demand, from Finnish Government, the extradition of Ekpa to face prosecutions in Nigeria.
“Nigerians, especially Igbo in Finland, are ready to partner with Nigerian authorities to arrest Ekpa, as $50,000 bounty on him has been increased to $100,000 for anyone in Finland and Europe who has useful information on his new location.”
