Ekpa threatened me over non-support for Biafra — Orji Kalu
By Kunle Sanni
Orji Kalu, the senator representing Abia North, has disclosed that Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), threatened him over his refusal to endorse the agitation for Biafra.
Kalu made this revelation on Monday during an interview with Arise Television, where he stressed the urgent need for security agencies to adopt proactive, intelligence-driven strategies to combat crime.
“I ignored his threats. Security agencies must strengthen intelligence-gathering to deal with such situations,” Kalu stated.
Simon Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, was arrested by Finnish authorities on November 21. The district court of Päijät-Häme subsequently ordered his remand over allegations of spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.
Ekpa is accused of inciting violence and promoting terror in Nigeria’s southeast through his online activities, with offenses reportedly dating back to 2021 in Lahti, Finland.
The Finnish court has set May 2025 as the deadline for the prosecution to file charges against him. Meanwhile, the Nigerian federal government has been pursuing Ekpa’s extradition to face prosecution for his alleged role in exacerbating insecurity and violence in the region.
Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, expressed grave concern about the impact of such activities on Nigeria’s security. He urged the authorities to prioritize intelligence-driven strategies to address crimes, particularly those amplified by social media propaganda.
“Simon Ekpa was calling and threatening me because I don’t support Biafra, but I left him to his conscience. My conscience is clear—I am a democrat, an Igbo man at heart, and I believe in this country and my heritage in Igbere,” Kalu said.
Reflecting on his tenure as governor, he underscored the importance of strong leadership in maintaining law and order.
“I am very strong-willed when it comes to security, and I can do anything to safeguard the lives and property of the people I serve. Governors must be decisive in condemning and eradicating crime. No crime should be tolerated in any state,” he added.
Kalu also criticized the continued presence of roadblocks in the southeast, describing them as outdated and ineffective.
“Igbos must feel safe in their homeland. The federal government and state governors should ensure that security measures prioritize intelligence over obsolete practices like roadblocks, which no longer ensure safety. Security is about strategic intelligence, not physical barriers,” he emphasized.
