Posted by The Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), Mazi Simon Ekpa, was falsely accused of being the cause of insecurity in the southeast of Nigeria in a recent story that appeared in the Vanguard newspaper on June 8, 2023. We must critically evaluate such claims in order to distinguish fact from fiction as responsible citizens.
In recent years, there have been numerous instances of disturbance and bloodshed in the southeast of Nigeria, and some sections of the populace have begun to advocate for the return of Biafra. The tense atmosphere has also been exacerbated by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s illegal imprisonment in the DSS dungeon without due process and rendition. The Nigerian government is allegedly actively involved in encouraging violence and utilizing both state- and non-state entities to wreak havoc in the area, according to a worrying story that has recently emerged. This article seeks to investigate these claims and clarify the issue.
Several studies have suggested that state actors may have been behind the escalation of violence in the southeast. During the sit-at-home protests, which have primarily been organized by the secessionist faction led by the former PM Simon Ekpa, it is suspected that the government may be utilizing its security forces to carry out attacks on market women. This purported tactic tries to intimidate and stifle the rising call for the freedom of Biafra.
These state actors are accused of using excessive force, making arbitrary arrests, committing extrajudicial killings, and harassing defenseless civilians. These state actors include law enforcement agencies and government-sponsored vigilante groups like EbubeAgu.
The deeds of one person cannot be used to explain the unrest in Nigeria’s eastern region. Insecurity is a complex problem with many underlying basic causes, including poverty, unemployment, old grudges, political unrest, and a lack of effective government and security measures.
Simon Ekpa, a well-known proponent of Biafra’s independence and an ambassador for peace, has dedicated his life to peacefully advancing the rights and interests of the Biafran people and battling for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s liberation, who is being imprisoned by the Nigerian government in violation of all recognized legal norms. His activities have mostly focused on political and social action, and he has expressed his ideas and goals for Biafra through venues including social media and public speaking engagements.
It is crucial to realize that Simon Ekpa’s support for Biafra does not translate into encouraging or inciting violence or unrest in any area. His efforts to promote political debate and develop public awareness cannot be equated with the terrible instances of criminal activity that plague the southeast region of Nigeria.
Simon Ekpa alone being responsible for the unrest in southeast Nigeria is an oversimplification that hides the true complexity of the problem. Investigating the root causes of the issue is essential to addressing and solving the security concerns, such as:
1. Cultural and multidimensional diversity: Our lifestyles need to be renegotiated because they are so dissimilar.
2. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s rendition and ongoing detention following his discharge from the second-highest court in the land is blatantly illegal.
3. It is undemocratic and evil to impose leaders who work for the Fulani-controlled administration.
4. Political unrest: The absence of effective and transparent governance in the region has provided criminal elements with an ideal environment in which to operate.
5. Socioeconomic factors: Youth discontent has been driven by high poverty rates, unemployment, and poor social infrastructure, making them vulnerable to criminal activity.
6. Historical grievances: Deep-seated anger from the Civil War and the perception that the Biafran people have been marginalized have contributed to bitterness that can be expressed through resistance.
7. The military and other security forces in Nigeria work together to murder Biafrans.
It is critical to concentrate on solving the underlying reasons for the instability in the southeast of Nigeria rather than using someone like Simon Ekpa as a scapegoat. The following tactics can be used to encourage long-term peace and security:
•Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be released from custody because a competent court has ruled in his favor.
•Participate in discussions to discuss other issues and advance amicable solutions.
•Hold a referendum for the Biafrans and any other ethnic groups who are no longer welcome in the corrupt Nigerian system.
To prevent making easy scapegoats, it is crucial to critically examine the narratives that the media presents, such as the June 8, 2023, Vanguard newspaper story. Instead of wrongly condemning people like PM Simon Ekpa of BRGIE, the insecurity in the southeast of Nigeria requires a thorough and multifaceted response that addresses the underlying causes. It is time to have a constructive conversation in order to promote regional fairness, peace, and long-lasting change.
The Biafran government has activated self-defense through the Biafra Liberation Army and Eastern Security Network to engage exclusively these actors in self-defense while the Nigerian government uses state and non-state actors to create instability in the southeast of the country.
The Biafra Restoration Movement, a long-running effort to reestablish an independent Biafra nation, is allegedly the target of the government’s operations. When Simon, a vocal leader of the campaign, organizes sit-at-home protests, market women in particular are targeted by Nigeria-sponsored state and non-state forces.
The Nigerian government allegedly used state and non-state entities to wreak havoc in the southeast, primarily targeting market women, according to one of the primary charges. These women are essential participants in area trade and business, frequently acting as the foundation of the neighborhood economy. The government allegedly tries to pressure Simon and his Biafra Restoration Movement into giving up their fight for independence by singling them out during sit-at-home protests.
The planned attacks during the sit-at-home protests also contribute to the unease and apprehension. The government may be attempting to undermine public support for the Biafra Restoration Movement by portraying it as a movement that encourages instability and insecurity by using state and non-state actors like Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Asari Dokubo, and certain misguided DOS members.
According to VanguardNews, “Ekpa, an Ebonyi State native who is based in Finland, and his group have since been labeled as fake by the mainstream IPOB, but he has continued to run a network that appears to be too strong for Kanu’s IPOB to destroy.”
The aforementioned remark by Vanguardnews is proof that the Nigerian government hired the disbanded DOS of IPOB, who is presently participating in the mayhem in Biafra territory as one of the state players.
The demand for the restoration of Biafra stems from the residents of the area’s deeply established sense of exclusion, prejudice, and perceived injustices. These complaints have historically spurred separatist movements in the east. The core of these aspirations has been the need to restore one’s sense of self, cultural heritage, and political independence.
The claims that the Nigerian government used both state and non-state entities to wreak havoc in the southeast and deliberately target women during sit-at-home protests are serious and need to be thoroughly investigated. The struggle for independence by the Biafra Restoration Movement is a response to long-standing issues in the area. However, any steps taken by the government must place a higher priority on conversation and peaceful resolution than they should on using strategies that prolong disorder and unrest. The road to settling differences and bridging gaps can only be discovered through the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and open communication.