The arrest of Simon Ekpa, a vocal separatist leader from the Southeast of Nigeria, has sparked heated reactions from his supporters, with many vowing to maintain their Monday sit-at-home protests.
Ngozi Orabueze, a key figure in the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), made it clear that the protest action, which has paralyzed parts of the region every Monday for months, would continue.
Despite the arrest of Ekpa by Finnish authorities, who are holding him on charges linked to terrorism and violence, Orabueze said there was no plan to halt the protests.
Orabueze, who holds the title of Chief of Staff in the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, used her position to reiterate unwavering support for Ekpa’s leadership and the sit-at-home order.
In a defiant social media post, she expressed gratitude to the Finnish government for “protecting our Able Prime Minister, H.E. Simon Ekpa, from the terrorist Nigeria state headed by President Tinubu, Christopher Musa, and Godswill Akpabio.”
Her message, posted on X, claimed that Ekpa’s arrest would not stop the planned protests in Southeast Nigeria. Orabueze insisted that Biafrans worldwide would continue with their mission, unaffected by the arrest.
“As Biafrans all over the world converge in Finland next week for the Biafra Independence Re-Declaration on December 2nd, we wish to inform Biafrans that the Monday Sit-at-home in all Biafraland, voluntarily agreed upon by all Biafrans, must be maintained,” she declared.
Ekpa, who has long been associated with calls for secession in the Southeast, has supported the sit-at-home protests as a means to show solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kanu’s continued imprisonment has been a rallying cry for Ekpa and his followers, despite widespread criticism of the violent tactics employed during the protests.
The sit-at-home protests have resulted in severe disruptions across the Southeast, affecting businesses, schools, and transportation. While some claim the protests are a peaceful form of resistance, others argue they have caused unnecessary hardship for innocent citizens in the region.
The Nigerian government has condemned the sit-at-home protests, with officials calling them illegal and disruptive. In response, the government has sought the extradition of Simon Ekpa from Finland, despite his Finnish citizenship, with the intention of holding him accountable for his role in organizing the protests and inciting violence.
Orabueze, however, remains steadfast in her support for Ekpa’s actions. She praised the Biafra Defence Forces (BDF) for what she called their efforts to “eliminate terrorists wearing Nigeria army and police uniforms in our land.”
Her comments have further raised tensions, as many see the BDF’s actions as part of the larger insurgency in the Southeast, which has seen clashes between government forces and armed separatist groups.
In her statement, Orabueze also highlighted the global awareness campaign, praising Biafrans for their efforts to expose what she described as “gross human rights violations, terrorism, forced disappearances of innocent citizens, and the killing of peaceful protesters” in Nigeria and Biafraland.
She further claimed that Finland had received substantial evidence to support these accusations, including documents and testimonies detailing alleged abuses by the Nigerian government.
Despite these claims, the Nigerian government has maintained its stance that the sit-at-home protests are disruptive and harmful to the people of the Southeast. They argue that Ekpa’s actions, which have included incitement to violence, must be addressed through legal and diplomatic means.
The call for a continued sit-at-home protest, even in the face of Ekpa’s arrest, raises questions about the future of the Biafra secessionist movement and the increasing polarization between the Nigerian government and separatist groups in the Southeast.
While some Biafrans continue to support the protests, others have expressed concerns about the negative impact on local communities, particularly in the areas hardest hit by the Monday shutdowns.
Authorities in Nigeria have already warned that anyone caught participating in violent protests or inciting unrest will face legal consequences. However, Ekpa’s supporters appear unmoved by these threats, with many pledging to continue their fight for what they see as the liberation of Biafra.
