Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, has reacted to the latest move by the Federal Government to facilitate his extradition from Finland.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday announced that the Nigerian government is currently engaging the Finnish government through the European Union (EU) to extradite Ekpa.
DHQ Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, spoke in response to Ekpa’s announcement of December 2 as the date for the map presentation and official declaration of the Biafra Republic.
Ekpa, self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE), had announced that the organisation will unveil the map of the “40 United States of Biafra” and issue a declaration on December 2, 2024.
He also threatened that the Southeast will embark on a month-long lockdown of government offices in the region if the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, is not released.
Buba said while military operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) will be sustained, the federal government will deploy diplomatic channels to get Ekpa from Finland.
“The FG would respond appropriately to the Finnish Government through the EU. On the part of the military, troops would sustain operations against IPOB/ESN,” he said.
Reacting, Ekpa, in a statement on Wednesday, urged officials of the Nigerian government to participate in the upcoming Biafra Convention in Finland.
According to Ekpa, participating in the convention would allow the Nigerian officials to engage him in the debate regarding his move for Biafra liberation.
He stressed that the constant call by the Nigerian government on the European Union and Finland to take action over his extradition confirms the legitimacy of the Biafra Government in Exile.
“We are inviting them as Nigerian representatives and observers; the government of Biafra will recognize their presence in Finland and offer an opportunity to engage Simon Ekpa on the podium for a debate on Nigeria.
“We are inviting Major General Edward Buba to the convention, and a special accreditation card has already been approved for him.
“The constant call by the Nigerian government on the EU and Finland to take action against me only confirms the legitimacy and potency of the Biafra Government in Exile and the Biafra de facto government in the homeland. We will bring Biafra from Exile,” he stated.
Ekpa further extended an invitation to the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, to the proposed Biafra Convention, which he said will be held in Lahti, Finland, from November 29 to December 3, 2024.
