Simon Ekpa Declares IPOB Sit-at-Home For Igbos In Lagos

Finland-based self-acclaimed member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, has declared a sit-at-home order for Igbos residing in Lagos State over an alleged attack on them.

In a social media post on Tuesday, Ekpa said the sit-at-home exercise is necessary to cripple the economy of the Lagos state government.

He assured Igbo marketers and traders in Lagos that there will be maximum security for them during the exercise even as they prepare to move their businesses to the Eastern region of Nigeria.

Ekpa stressed that the sit-at-home order affects every Biafran doing business in Lagos, adding that the attack on Igbos in the South-West state is making him sad.

Ekpa’s tweet reads: “I have just watched another Igbo Biafra Market in Lagos being burnt down in Balogun Lagos today, and I am very sad. Since the election, Igbo Biafrans in Lagos and their Businesses have been attacked, and as I have said earlier, we can’t sit back and watch as Biafrans in Lagos will be getting ready to return home with their businesses. To this end, we will activate sit-at-home for all Biafrans in Lagos.

“This sit-at-home is targeted at crippling the economy of the Lagos state government, whose body language has suggested to be directly responsible for the attack against Igbos. I, therefore, call on all Igbo market leaders in Lagos that we are ready to provide securities for all Igbo markets in Lagos pending when the businesses will be moved to the Eastern region. We will fortify all of your market against attackers. The underground work will start immediately. -ESN

“This sit-at-home, when activated, is applicable to every Biafran doing Business in Lagos. Both shop owners, commercial bus drivers etc.”

CityNews recalls the self-proclaimed disciple of the detained leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, rose to prominence in July 2021, after he was announced as the lead broadcaster of Radio Biafra.

Ekpa has been involved in a series of controversies with the leadership of the Biafra group. The Nigerian government has also frowned at his broadcasts which is said to be inciting and causing unrest in the South-eastern part of the country.

It could be recalled that shortly after his appointment, IPOB announced Ekpa’s disengagement because of his refusal to sign the rules of engagement in the operation of the radio station.

However, Ekpa has consistently pledged allegiance to Kanu and support for Biafra agitation, despite leading a faction of the IPOB called “Autopilots”.

He was recently arrested and released in Finland.