The jail sentence clamped down on Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, in Finland, has triggered mixed reactions in the Southeast.
While some are calling for the same treatment to be meted out to his fellow Biafran anarchist and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, by the Nigerian government, others argue that they both should be hanged.
Ekpa was recently handed a six-year jail term by the Finnish court for terrorism and activities fueling violence in Nigeria’s Southeast. Kanu, on the other hand, is being prosecuted for related activities by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In the wake of Ekpa’s sentencing, many residents of the Southeast have stated that it will take time for Igbo land to recover from the devastating effects of the Monday sit-at-home, kidnapping and killings introduced by Kanu and Ekpa into the region.
Consequently, many have called for more decisive action to be taken against Kanu, hoping it would serve as a deterrent to others inclined to emulate him. Yet some others have called for his release, for peace to return to the region.
For instance, Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, one of the leaders in the Southeast, told The Nation that he is of the belief that Kanu will be released by President Bola Tinubu soon.
He said, now that Ekpa has been jailed by the Finnish government, President Tinubu should release Kanu to bring everlasting peace, and added that the Igbo must exercise a little patience and have more trust in Tinubu’s administration.
Elizabeth Odili also argued that Ekpa was the major culprit terrorising the Southeast and not Kanu, and thus Kanu should be set free, she said.
But another resident, who simply identified himself as Engineer Johnson, disagreed with Odili, stating that the ongoing crisis of insecurity in the Southeast was caused by Kanu, before Ekpa joined the fray. According to him, Kanu does not deserve pity.
“Both Kanu and Ekpa deserve to be killed because they have brought sorrow, pain and agony to many homes in the Southeast,” he said.
Ebonyi: Disquiet in Ekpa’s community
There has been disquiet in the Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area (LGA) following the jail term handed to Ekpa by the Finnish.
When The Nation visited his Ngbo community, residents refused to speak to the news medium, for fear of being attacked.
However, an indigene, James Odom, said there are mixed feelings in the community over Ekpa’s imprisonment.
He recalled that Ekpa was born a Prince into the family of the late Traditional Ruler in the community, Ekpa Nwangbo.
Odom, one of Ekpa’s kinsmen, described the court’s action as “a welcome development.”
He noted that it should serve as a lesson for Ndi Igbo and others who may attempt to pursue liberation through violence.
According to Odom, Ekpa, once regarded as a promising son of Ngbo, came from a reputable family.
“His father was a complete gentleman who stood for truth and justice throughout his lifetime. Simon, himself, started well, helping people from our community and beyond.
“Many who travelled abroad did so through his assistance, and some are still on scholarship in his name,” he said.
However, he lamented that Ekpa later derailed, making “inciting and dangerous statements” that fueled insecurity across the Southeast.
He recalled calling on community leaders to intervene, adding that many traditional chiefs were too scared to act because of the “boys who allegedly worked for him.”
“Each time he talked, his words threatened the relative peace our people were enjoying. We lost great men and women because of his actions.
“So many businesses were shut down, and investors fled the Southeast due to the insecurity he created,” Odom stated.
He further narrated the devastating impact of the crisis, saying that a lot of children have been rendered fatherless and more women have been widowed as a result of Ekpa’s actions.
“Now, the monster he helped to create has outgrown him, and people are still afraid to walk freely in the Southeast,” he added.
While acknowledging the widespread discontent with Nigeria’s structure, Odom emphasised that independence or justice cannot be achieved by “killing our own people.”
Looking ahead, he expressed hope that Ekpa’s jail term in Finland will give him time to reflect.
“We pray he comes out a changed man. Let this be a lesson to all of us,” he concluded.
Anambra: Kanu started well until power corrupted him
A veteran journalist, Uche Okafor, commended the Finnish authorities for the judgment, but said the jail term was not commensurate with his offences.
“The lesson here is that his followers should know that his life is at risk. Some of them who disrupt activities in the region under the guise of sit-at-home should know that if they’re caught, their condition will be worse.
“They should have a rethink, particularly in Anambra, where Soludo has urged them to return for rehabilitation.
“You can see the people are happy. For Kanu, he should face judgment because you can’t rule out the fact that he’s culpable to an extent,” he said.
A cleric, Chijioke Nwokeke, expressed joy over the judgment, saying the level of insecurity has reduced in the zone.
“I thought they would have extradited him to Nigeria to suffer for his deadly activities, which brought serious chaos.
“You’ll notice that the tension in Southeast has reduced, no thanks to his jail term. If you ask me, they should have added more years to his sentence.
“Nnamdi Kanu was more civilised in his approach. But like the saying goes, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
“He started well, but along the line, the power entered his head. But his can’t still be compared with Ekpa. But I think his release will bring relative peace to the region.
A lecturer, who simply identified himself as Victor, said the judgment might trigger insecurity in the region as some of his followers might try to react with the intention to save their boss.
“On the other hand, it may douse tension. It depends on how both federal and state governments handle it.
“There’s a need for political intelligence so it doesn’t escalate like Boko Haram in the North and insurgency in the Southsouth,” he adde
Enugu: Inclusive government, solution in Igboland
Residents of Enugu have said that the conviction of Ekpa in Finland will not bring an end to the agitation for Biafra, insisting that only inclusive politics and the elimination of long-standing feelings of marginalisation can calm separatist sentiments in the Southeast.
In interviews across the city, many residents acknowledged that Ekpa’s sit-at-home orders and threats from abroad deepened insecurity and crippled local economies. However, they argued that his fall has not erased the deeper grievances of neglect, poor infrastructure, and lack of federal presence in the region.
At Ogbete Main Market, Ifeoma Eze, a trader, said: “People are happy that this man has been stopped because he caused us suffering. But Biafra agitation is not just about him. Our children need jobs, our roads are bad, and our region is not treated fairly. Until that changes, the agitation will continue in another form.”
For Chukwuma Ani, a lawyer, the solution lies in political inclusion. “The Igbo need stronger representation at the centre. The solution is not to silence agitators but to address the reasons why they gain followers: marginalisation, lack of federal appointments, and neglect of our infrastructure,” he noted.
A university student, Amara Nwachukwu, added that young people want to feel hopeful about their future. “Most of my mates just want opportunities. If we see government investing in our region and creating jobs, there won’t be a need for all these agitations,” she said.
Similarly, a commercial bus driver, Peter Okafor, said residents are tired of violence but fear new groups could emerge. “We want peace, but peace comes when people feel carried along. If nothing changes, another Ekpa will rise tomorrow,” he warned.
Analysts argued that Ekpa’s conviction may weaken IPOB’s diaspora network but also offers an opening for Southeast leaders to work with the federal government in redirecting the agitation from violence to dialogue and development.
For many residents, the consensus is clear: ending separatist agitation requires building an inclusive Nigeria where no region feels left out.
Abia: Nigerian judges should emulate Finnish judiciary
Residents of Abia State have tasked Nigerian judges to emulate their Finnish counterparts in executing judgments following the sentencing of the factional leader of IPOB, Ekpa.
Some of the respondents described Ekpa’s sentencing as a victory in the war against insecurity in the Southeast.
Chukwu Bartholomew, for instance, told The Nation that, “For us in the Southeast, Ekpa’s imprisonment is very good for democracy, although the sentencing is too short, compared to the level of carnage and atrocities Biafran agitators have caused in the region.
“The Federal Government should activate their bilateral relationship with Finland so that it can extradite Ekpa to Nigeria for a proper trial in the country, where his actual crime was committed.”
