Africa
Ekpa: Biafran/Russian soldier exposes separatist leader as fraud—video
A Biafran/ Russian soldier, Okwuoma Samuel Ikechukwu, has lashed out against the secessionist leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), Simon Ekpa, for using his pictures to deceive and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora, over claims of restoring a Sovereign State of Biafra.
Okwuoma, a serving Russian soldier from Nigeria, made the remarks in a video he made of himself at the war front.
What did Simon Ekpa say?
It could be recalled that Ekpa, taking to his “X”, formerly Twitter handle, @simon_ekpa, had tweeted:
“Biafran Liberation Army sent to Russia as part of the alliance between Russia and Biafra. This one shock IPOB Nigeria”.
See a screenshot of the tweet below:
Mr. Okwuoma, in the video, issued stern warning to the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra.
He publicly debunked Ekpa’s claims and warned him against unauthorized use of his photograph to mislead people.
He told him to desist from using his picture to deceive the gullible under the pretext of restoring Biafra.
Watch video of the onslaught against Simon Ekpa below:
Nigerians react
Reacting to the video, a Russia-based Nigerian observer, Nnamdi Ezenwafor, told Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) that Simon Ekpa is merely using false narratives to further his own agenda, and not the interest of the masses.
He hailed Okwuoma for
Ezenwafor said: “The Case of Simon Ekpa and the Biafran-born Russian Soldier!
“In a world fueled by social media and instant communication, the power of misinformation and propaganda has never been more prominent.
“The recent incident involving Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, and a Biafran-born Russian soldier brings to light the dangers of individuals using false narratives to further their own agendas.
“Simon Ekpa, known for his outspoken views on Biafran independence, attempted to leverage the image of a Biafran-born Russian soldier to strengthen his claims of being ready to aid Israel if necessary.
“However, in a surprising turn of events, the soldier publicly refuted Ekpa’s assertions and issued a stern warning against the unauthorized use of his photograph for misleading purposes.
“This episode serves as a stark reminder of the ethical implications of spreading false information and misrepresenting individuals for personal gain.”
Damaged credibility
Ezenwafor noted that Ekpa’s attempt to exploit the soldier’s image backfired and damaged his credibility.
He stated further: “Simon Ekpa’s attempt to exploit the soldier’s image not only damaged the credibility of his own cause but also highlighted the need for accountability in the age of digital information dissemination.
“The soldier’s courageous stance in speaking out against the misuse of his identity is commendable, as it underscores the importance of upholding truth and integrity in all forms of communication.
“By standing up against falsehoods and setting the record straight, he has demonstrated the power of individual agency in combating deceptive practices that seek to manipulate public opinion.
“Be as it may, the debacle involving Simon Ekpa and the Biafran-born Russian soldier serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of misinformation and the importance of upholding honesty and authenticity in all forms of expression.
“As we navigate a complex digital landscape filled with competing narratives, it is imperative that we remain vigilant in discerning fact from fiction and holding accountable those who seek to deceive.
“Let this incident be a reminder of the enduring value of truth and the responsibility we all bear in safeguarding it in our words and actions.”
Damage control
On his part, Ekpa, who could not stomach the damage occasioned by his reckless claims, resorted to name calling.
He called Okwuoma names such as “sabo” (saboteur) and “idiot”.
Taking to his “X” handle once again on May 12, he posted:
“Now listen to this idiot. Where did Simon Ekpa claim that you are BLA?
“You put on Biafra flag and make video of yourself shouting Biafra and Ambazonia and I posted it.
“How does that make me President of Russia or change the fact of our policy that those of you who hide under Biafra but are sabos will be dealt with in due time.
“Tell this idiot to face front, who needs his validation to believe in me?
“I have seen his type, when the time come, he should summon courage and stand in my front and talk rubbish.
“You claim to be fighting for Russia and your village is being destroyed by Nigeria on daily basis, are you not an idiot?”
See once again a screenshot of the tweet below:’
About Simon Ekpa
Simon Ekpa, born on March 21, 1985, is a Finnish politician and former Nigerian athlete.
He gained prominence as the lead broadcaster for Radio Biafra before he was sacked by the management.
Radio Biafra is associated with the separatist organization, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Early Life and Career
Ekpa was born in Ohaukwu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, previously part of Biafra.
Biafra was a partially recognized state that declared independence from Nigeria 1967–1970, leading to Biafra War.
He won the 100 meters silver medal for Nigeria at the 2003 African Junior Athletics Championships.
He, however, left athletics due to a knee problem.
Life in Finland
Since 2007, he has lived in Lahti, Finland, where he learned Finnish, became a citizen, and served in the Finnish military.
In 2022, he ran as a candidate in the Finnish county elections under the National Coalition Party and currently serves as a city councillor in Lahti.
Legal Work
Ekpa claims to have worked in the legal field since 2009, including as a legal advisor.
However, he is not an attorney in Finland and does not represent clients in court.
His legal expertise has been questioned by those who monitor his activities.
Also, the Welsh Aberystwyth University where he claims to have an LLM degree won’t provide information about it.
Activism and Separatism
Ekpa gained attention in 2019 when he posted a video claiming that Nigerian soldiers were killed by Boko Haram, allegedly to discourage soldiers from serving.
He became the lead broadcaster for Radio Biafra after the arrest of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In 2023, he founded the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), leading a faction within IPOB.
It is worthy of note that Ekpa’s activities are controversial.
In the meantime, his role in the Biafran separatist movement has drawn negative attention and criticism.
When DDM visited his “X” timeline on May 15, the post could not be found, suggesting Ekpa may have deleted it.
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