Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called on members of the group to be wary of a controversial, self-acclaimed disciple of his, Simon Ekpa.
Kanu stated that Ekpa was neither a member of IPOB nor a follower of his self-determination tenets.
Kanu who spoke through his special counsel, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said Ekpa was acting out of his own volition and not on his (Kanu’s) orders. The IPOB leader also condemned the killings and urged the Federal Government to investigate and punish the perpetrators.
Ejiofor quoted Kanu as saying, “Simon Ekpa is not a member of IPOB. He should be investigated for the killings in the South-East and cannot be fighting for the self-determination of the Biafra people.
“The fact is clear. Simon Ekpa is being sponsored by persons we cannot mention this time to destroy the South-East. He cannot say he is fighting for Biafra’s emancipation and still instigating criminal elements to go after the people he claims he is fighting to protect.
“Members of the Eastern Security Network are somewhere killing our innocent people. This should tell you that Ekpa is acting out scripts by people who want to devour our lands. Ekpa is not my follower.
“He cannot say he is my follower or disciple. I condemn Simon Ekpa’s activities.
“I never sanctioned any sit-at-home declared by Ekpa. IPOB never authorised or sanctioned it. Go about your normal business and disregard the threats by Ekpa. He is one of the people who do not want peace in our region. Ekpa is not working for me or IPOB.”
Meanwhile, a civil society organisation, Global Coalition Security Democracy, has demanded the arrest of Ekpa. In a petition on change.org titled, ‘Stop Simon Ekpa and Others from Killing the Igbos and Others in South-East Nigeria over Sit-at-Home’, the group asked the Finnish Government to deport Ekpa to pay for his crimes.
The petition had been signed by over 1,000 persons as of press time.