Update : IPOB Disowns Simon Ekpa

GoldenNewsNg reports that the IPOB has distanced itself from Ekpa, emphasizing it has no affiliation with him or his group, Autopilot.

Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesman, reiterated that their focus remains on securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained by the Department of State Services since 2021.

He said, “We are not interested in his arrest. All we want is the release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has not committed any offense and who has been freed by the law courts. That is our concern.

“We have reiterated on several occasions that the Ekpa had no relationship with the IPOB from the formation to date and he had nothing in common with the Biafra struggle.

“For a long time, IPOB has maintained that there is nothing like autopilot in IPOB. More so, the criminal gang leader in Finland has no relationship with ESN from the formation of ESN to date or with IPOB. The authorities should stop linking IPOB with Ekpa and his group and IPOB is not interested in his arrest or whatever.

“All we want is for the Nigerian government to release our leader who has been detained for no known crime other than fighting for the liberation of his people.”

On his part, the spokesman of IPOB’s Political Wing, Nwachukwu Emereonye, called for the immediate extradition of Ekpa to Nigeria to face the consequences of his actions.

He said, “We in the IPOB Political Wing welcome the arrest of Simon Ekpa. His actions are unbecoming. Scores of people have been killed and properties worth billions of Naira destroyed.

“He should be handed over to the Nigerian government for immediate prosecution.