Simon Ekpa: Tinubu, Ribadu never hear from Defence HQ as dem dey push for Extradition

Di Federal Government of Naija fit soon apply for extradition of Simon Ekpa, di factional leader of di Eastern Security Network (ESN), di paramilitary wing of di Indigenous Pipo of Biafra (IPOB).

Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, talk on Thursday say Ekpa, wey dey call himself follower of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, suppose come back to Naija make e face criminal charges.

Ekpa, wey dey Finland now, na one of 97 pipo wey Defence Headquarters don declare wanted for March 2024.

Finnish authorities don recently arrest Ekpa and four oda pipo for terrorism-related charges.

According to Finland Central Criminal Police, di charges include public incitement to commit crimes wey get terrorist intent and financing terrorism.

International Arrest and Charges

One Finnish court don order make dem detain Ekpa based on suspicion of incitement and oda terrorist activities.

Finnish police dey claim say Ekpa don use social media to incite violence.

Naija South-East region, dem dey attack civilians and government pipo.

Four of him associates don dey accuse say dem dey finance dis kind wahala.

Finnish authorities don talk say dis case get plenty international collaboration to tackle terrorism.

Tinubu Never Brief

Presidential spokesman, Daniel Bwala, talk say President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, never get brief on di arrest of Ekpa.

Di procedure be say di (Naija) Embassy for Finland suppose get di information and e go brief di Ministry of Foreign Affairs and di minister fit brief di NSA or di “President,” e explain to Di PUNCH.

Naija Military Reaction 

Naija Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, welcome Ekpa arrest, e dey hope say e go lead to him extradition and trial for Naija.

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, also praise di international community for supporting Naija fight against terrorism.

“Ekpa don contribute well well to terrorism for South-East Naija. Him arrest na big step forward,” Buba talk.

IPOB Distance Demself 

IPOB, however, don distance demself from Ekpa, e emphasize say dem no get any connection with am or him group.

Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesman, talk say dem focus still dey on how to free Nnamdi Kanu, wey dem don hold since 2021 by Department of State Services.

Him talk say, “We no dey interested for him arrest.”

“Wetin we want na make dem free our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wey no do any offence and wey law court don free. Na dat one be our concern.”

“We don talk plenty times say Ekpa no get any relationship with IPOB from wen dem form am till now and him no get anything in common with Biafra struggle.”

“For long, IPOB don talk say no be anything like autopilot for IPOB.”

“Plus, di criminal gang leader for Finland no get any connection with ESN from wen dem form ESN till now or with IPOB.”

“Di authorities suppose stop to dey link IPOB with Ekpa and him group, and IPOB no dey interested for him arrest or anything wey concern am.

“All we dey want na make Naija government release our leader wey dem don detain for no known crime except to dey fight for him pipo liberation.”

For him side, IPOB Political Wing spokesman, Nwachukwu Emereonye, don call for di immediate extradition of Ekpa go Naija make e face di consequences of him actions.”

Him talk say, “We for IPOB Political Wing dey welcome di arrest of Simon Ekpa.”

“Him actions no dey proper. Plenty pipo don die and properties wey worth billions of Naira don spoil.”

“Dem suppose hand am over to di Naija government make dem prosecute am sharp-sharp.”

Public and Political Reactions

Ekpa arrest don cause plenty reactions, as many Naija pipo dey demand say make dem extradite am go Naija.

Former aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode praise di arrest, call Ekpa “psychopath” wey him talk say cause di death of plenty innocent Naija.

Meanwhile, former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad don suggest say Ekpa suppose face justice for Naija afta e finish im sentence for Finland.

Violence for South-East Naija

Dem don link Ekpa to di enforcement of sit-at-home orders for di South-East, wey don cause violence, deaths, and economic paralysis.

Recent attacks wey dem dey attribute to ESN operatives include di killing of vigilantes and civilians for Anambra State.

IPOB deny say dem get hand for dese acts, dey accuse Ekpa say e dey exploit di Biafran struggle for im own gain.

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