Simon Ekpa is a Nigerian activist and one of the leading voices of the Indigenous People of Biafra movement.
Premium Politics on Thursday reported that he was arrested by the Finnish police after he ordered a sit-at-home order in the South East.
His repeated sit-at-home order has been marked by bloodshed and destruction of lives and properties in the region by its enforcers
Here are 10 facts about him:
Simon Ekpa was born and raised in the southern region of Nigeria, specifically in Abia State.
- He is a graduate of the University of Calabar, where he studied political science.
- Ekpa is known for his outspokenness and advocacy for the rights of the Igbo people, a major ethnic group in Nigeria that has long suffered from marginalization and discrimination.
- He is a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a separatist organization that seeks to establish an independent state for the Igbo people.
- Ekpa is a close associate and protégé of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB who is currently in exile.
- He gained prominence in 2020 when he started hosting a popular radio program called “Radio Biafra” from Finland, where he resides.
- Ekpa’s radio show focuses on issues related to the Biafran independence movement, including political and social developments in Nigeria.
- In January 2021, Ekpa was appointed as a “special envoy” by IPOB to represent the organization in various international forums and engage with foreign governments and organizations.
- He has been vocal in his criticism of the Nigerian government and its handling of the Biafran issue, and has called for peaceful demonstrations and civil disobedience to pressure the government to address the grievances of the Igbo people.
- Despite facing harassment and intimidation from Nigerian authorities, Ekpa continues to be a prominent voice of the Biafran independence movement, and remains committed to his advocacy for the rights of the Igbo people