Simon Ekpa, Nigerian Police and Biafra kidnappers Of Lagos Igbo Traders
By Rev. Obinna Akukwe
Simon Ekpa, the Prime Minister of a faction of Biafra, in the wake of the murder of some kidnapers during gun duel at Ladipo market area, have termed the Nigerian Government terrorist for killing nine kidnappers who have been terrorising the Igbo markets and predominant Igbo communities in Ladipo and Lagos in general.
The Nigerian police under a Yoruba Inspector General, Egbetokun, former Aide-de Camp to Bola Tinubu, equally Yoruba, who became President of Nigeria in May 2023, sent his men of Special Squad to neutralise eleven persons , mostly Biafrans, Biafra lovers and funders of Biafran cause , who happened also to be kidnapping Biafrans to the tune of billions of naira.
These dare-devil kidnappers have been known to arrest, keep people in detention for months till they pay the stipulated ransom
As the leader of Igbo Mandate Congress IMC, an Intelligence Based Igbo Group, mandated by God to Shepherd Ndigbo into Greatness, through Positive Changes Evident Across Africa’ I have access to information on many things happening within and outside Igboland, that affects Ndigbo.
Through years of non-propagandist, non-emotional approach to issues affecting Ndigbo, Igbo mandate Congress, directly or through proxies, have intervened in matters capable of creating bloodshed, anarchy and endless strife both within Igboland and outside, including instances where planned massacre of Ndigbo in the North, in the WAKE of IPOB provocations were averted.
Igbo Mandate Congress had also forewarned Ndigbo severally over issues which if the Igbo leaderships at various levels have taken proactive actions the sorry state of Ndigbo would not be the state.
Therefore, Igbos around markets in Lagos have complained about certain criminal gangs that kidnap, keep victims and after releasing them, apologise and tell them that they will use the extorted money to support actualisation of Biafra. We got information that Igbo billionaires in Lagos are being silently kidnapped and fleeced of various sums between N100, N200m, 500m, 800m and on few occasions some claimed they extorted about N1 billion from them in naira and dollars.
These Igbo billionaire businessmen in Lagos kept silent, having nobody to complain to, since their kidnappers often claim to be fighting for Biafra. From Alaba, Ikeja, Ladipo, Igbo billionaires or their wards are being kidnapped and fleeced by fellow Biafrans. This situation has been on for about three years.
When certain sections of Igbo leadership asked us to do due diligence, we discovered that the kidnapped are taken to or dropped around Ibadan, Sagamu, Mowe, Ibafo and other places for ease of pickup by their relatives.
These Igbo billionaires have spoken secretly that all their kidnappers speak fluent Igbo, and profess allegiance to one faction of IPOB or the other. They all claimed that their extortion is to enhance the realization of Biafra.
Since after the murder of ‘Double Lion’ in Ihiala by members of the DoS branch of IPOB in concert with Governor Soludo boys, the DoS branch of IPOB and the Auto-Pilot Branch have accused each other of kidnapping, extortion, murder, beheading of fellow Biafrans, and their accusations and counter-accusations have never abated till today.
While both sides traded blames over kidnappings in the South East, these boys continued their kidnappings in Lagos unnoticed. From 2022 when they allegedly extorted the first billion, it had continued till 2024.
The Nigerian Police, a body known for organic corruption, curiously were not able to track these hoodlums, despite some lead from a few victims willing to speak up. However, by the Grace of Almighty God, the corrupt Nigerian Police system, got tired of their incompetence, and decided to apply due diligence in tracking the criminals.
The efforts of the Police yielded results. I was told that President Tinubu was worried that his Lagos should not be a haven for kidnappers, and gave orders for such elements to be busted.
The Police also started a forensic manhunt for the criminals.
God saved the Igbo billionaires of Lagos such that on the 4th of July, 2024, the criminals came as usual to kidnap a billionaire importer cum market leader, whom ostensibly, they expect to fleece probably another billon. The Nigerian Police Force showed unusual professionalism and tactical discipline, and at the end nine of the kidnappers were killed. They were killed in under the watch of traders closing for work.
According to reports, two escaped with bullet wounds. The gun duel was witnessed y Biafrans, Arewa, Oduduwa, Okija, Christian, Muslims, Atheists, and the elated public cheered the Police for outstanding performance.
The Chairman of Ladipo Market Traders Association later led a delegation to visit the POLICE High Command on a commendation visit.
When the identities of the kidnappers’ were unveiled, it was discovered that a Nollywood Actor and Producer of Igbo Origin, Henry Odenigbo, an ardent supporter of Biafra cause, was their ringleader.
While Lagosians were cheering the Police, The Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government in Exile BRGIE, Mazi Simon Ekpa, condemned the Nigerian Police for killing Nine kidnappers. Simon Ekpa told his followers that the ‘Terrorist Nigerian Government have Murdered Nine Innocent Biafrans’
Simon Ekpa was right, those people were Biafrans. They believe in Biafra cause. Those they kidnapped earlier had attested to it in private discussions. To that extent Simon Ekpa was right. The critical question is, Are They Innocent Biafrans?
How can Biafrans kidnapping fellow Biafra Igbo Traders in Lagos be called Innocent? How did the Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government in Exile arrive at his adjurations that those boys are innocent?
How can Biafrans in Lagos be kidnapping fellow Igbos and Biafrans and the Biafran High Command is clapping for them.
This is the tragedy that has befallen Ndigbo since the new wave of Biafra secessionist movement started. Kidnappers, beheaders of people, severer of female private parts, rapists, ritualists and occultists have all claimed to be Biafra agitators.
It is as embarrassing to us in Igbo MANDATE Congress, it is embarrassing to Ndigbo in the military who cannot return home during festive periods because some riff-raffs will severe their head the manner they severed the heads of military couple Private Gloria Matthew, and her fiancé Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu in June 2022, Lieutenant PP Johnson in December 2022, and Major General Duru (Rtd) in October 2023 and blamed Cameroun for it.
I have condemned these atrocities in the name of Biafra, in my personal capacity as Rev Obinna Akukwe, as Chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Cleric, Activist and leader of responsible Igbo group.
I want to say again that if Biafrans who kidnap, terrorise, extort, rape and kill fellow Biafran Igbo Traders in Lagos are termed ‘Innocent’ by Biafran High Command, then to Hell with Biafra.
Rev Obinna Akukwe , Activist, Cleric, is the Director General of Igbo Mandate Congress IMC, igbomandate@yahoo.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
