By Samson Adeyanju
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, the controversial pro-Biafra agitator recently arrested in Finland on suspicion of terrorist activities.
In a statement issued Friday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful clarified that Ekpa was never a registered member of the separatist group, let alone a leader.
“Simon Ekpa was never and is not an IPOB member,” said Powerful. “He should not be associated with IPOB because we do not support the violent agitation he represents.”
Powerful accused Ekpa of orchestrating violent acts under the guise of Biafra agitation, including recruiting criminals to destabilize Nigeria’s southeast.
He claimed Ekpa’s activities, carried out under the banner of the self-declared Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE) and its militant wing, the Biafra Liberation Army, had tarnished IPOB’s image.
“It is unfortunate that some Biafrans mistook him for a genuine advocate of the Biafra cause.
“They have now realized he is a destructive agent paid to infiltrate and derail IPOB’s peaceful movement,” Powerful stated.
Though Ekpa once identified as a disciple of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, he was dismissed from his role as director of Radio Biafra in 2021 for allegedly refusing to follow the group’s rules of engagement.
Following his removal, Ekpa created a splinter faction known as Autopilot and later declared himself “prime minister” of BGIE.
Ekpa’s faction has been linked to violent attacks and killings in the southeast, which IPOB vehemently denies any involvement with.
Powerful urged the media and authorities to stop associating IPOB with Ekpa’s activities.
“No person or institution should link Simon Ekpa to IPOB unless they are part of a conspiracy to blackmail and demonize us,” he said.
As IPOB continues to advocate for Biafran self-determination, it insists its methods remain peaceful and non-violent, contrasting sharply with Ekpa’s actions.
