BIAFRA NEWS : Sit-at-home, Finland debunks arrest threat against Ekpa

 

The Embassy of Finland in Nigeria has refuted a letter making the rounds that the Finnish Government warned Finland-based Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, to desist from his clamour for the actualisation of Biafra republic or risk arrest and prosecution for terrorism. 

“The Embassy would greatly appreciate it if you could take this information into account in your reporting.”

The clarification was contained in a statement made available to our correspondent on Thursday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had Tuesday summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, over alleged hate speech and inciting comments credited to the Ekpa-led faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.

The group had reportedly ordered sit-at-home and also declared that elections will not be allowed to be held in the South-East region.

However, the Finnish embassy in its statement said that the letter did not originate from Helsinki.

It read, “This is to inform you that the attached letter purporting to be signed by the Prime Minister of Finland and currently circulating widely in the media does not originate from the Finnish government.

“We have reported the Twitter message with which this fake letter was originally distributed and asked Twitter to remove it. Regrettably, copies continue circulating in social media and on various internet platforms.

BIAFRA NEWS : IPOB raises alarm over planned bank attacks in Southeast

  

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has raised the alarm that its intelligence unit, the M-Branch, has uncovered plans by some criminal elements,

 claiming to be its leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s disciples to invade banks in Abia State and blame it on IPOB and ESN operatives. The group labeled the individuals fake disciples.

“We, the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

 under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu wish to disassociate ourselves from the secret plans to attack banks in Abia State or other

 state in Biafra while masses are looking for new currency notes,” IPOB said in a statement signed by its Media, and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.

“IPOB intelligence unit, the M-Branch, released this Intel in advance to advise our people to be prepared because they have devised another 

means to suffer our people. The purported sit-at-home orders have failed; their contractors want them to change strategies that will also be dead on arrival.

“We made this Intel public for our people to know that there is danger ahead and the danger will come in different ways against our innocent citizens. 

Therefore, we call on all Biafrans to resist any attempt to be used by anyone to attack and destroy the banks in Igbo land. MNK has consistently warned our people that banks, worship centers, schools, and markets are not places to vent anger at in times of protest or wars.

“Our people should know that any bank attacked or destroyed in Biafra land our enemies will use to justify why our people will not be able to access their monies from banks. Other ethnic groups can protest and destroy banks without the Nigeria government punishing them, but in the case of Biafrans, particularly Igbos are visited with wickedness and shedding of blood.

 

“Our people must keep their emotions in check and realize that the issues of Biafra freedom are beyond emotions. We all need Biafra to come quickly,  

but we must be cautious not to play into the hands of our already weakened and frustrated enemies,” IPOB warned, urging the Igbo not to “support or join any attack on any bank in Biafra land, particularly at Aba, Abia State.”

The group insisted that it was not part of the plan, saying that IPOB does not encourage nor indulge in criminalities. 

“In the event of attack on any bank in the East, Biafrans should hold Autopiloters who have branded themselves MNK disciples responsible because they have committed other criminalities.

 

“That not withstanding; we are going to checkmate them because they have decided to blackmail IPOB and ESN operatives with their criminal plans. We cannot afford to be part of activities that will increase the pain and suffering of our people who we are fighting for their freedom.

BIAFRA NEWS : CBN orders banks to collect old N500, N1,000 notes

 

CBN orders banks to collect old N500, N1,000 notes

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has directed Deposit Money Banks to collect old N500, and N1,000 notes from customers with reference code generated from its website. 

Multiple bank sources told Vanguard that the branches received a directive from the head office some hours ago that they should collect the old notes from their customers who have enrolled and generated reference code from the CBN website. 

 

 

A top CBN official confirmed the directive: “Yes we have directed them to collect the old N500 and N1,000 from customers, subject to maximum of N500,000.”  Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the old N500 and N1,000 notes were no longer legal tenders, but that those having the notes should take the notes to the CBN. 

 

 

Consequently, the CBN opened a portal for people with the old N500 and N1,000 notes to register how much they want to deposit and to get a reference code to confirm there registration.

The reference code will be used to deposit the old notes at any of the CBN offices across the country. 

 

 

However, investigation revealed that the CBN might have allowed the banks to collect the old notes from their customers, following the huge number of people that besieged its offices to deposit the old N500 and N1,000.

A top bank official and branch head told Vanguard that the branch will collect old notes from customers tomorrow (Saturday) as the branch did not open to customers today due to fear of attack.

BIAFRA NEWS : IPOB leader, Ekpa to be part of Ohanaeze peace summit

 

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Thursday, said that the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and another controversial leader of IPOB, Simon Ekpa, would be present at the peace summit of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri.

 The elder statesman said the Ohanaeze would appeal to the Federal government to release Kanu to them for the peace summit, while an invitation would be extended to Simon Ekpa, said to be residing in Finland to come back home to join in the peace summit.

 “We are going to appeal to the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu to participate in the peace summit. and we will invite Simon Ekpa, to be part of the peace summit. We are calling on those groups issuing sit-at-home orders against the election to withdraw them. We are assuring them that their grievances will be resolved. We are calling for a ceasefire. They should come to the peace summit and we will resolve all their problems,” Iwuanyanwu pleaded.

The elders of Ohanaeze said the meeting was to achieve peace in Igboland, stop the killings, as well as have the 2023 elections to be held peacefully across the region.

According to Ohanaeze, “In the past few months, I have watched with deep grief the amount of innocent blood being shed in Southeast and other parts of Nigeria. properties belonging to governments and individuals have been unwantedly destroyed. This situation has caused me considerable pain and concern. After many sweet nights, I decided to take the liberty of my position as the chairman of, the elder council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to call an emergency meeting of the Ohanaeze council of elders.

“At the meeting, the security situation of the southeast was very critically examined. Elders expressed concern over the deteriorating security and social and economic conditions in the zone. many school leavers including graduates spend so many years looking for employment without success. Many businesses have collapsed due to a lack of infrastructure such as power. The elders resolved that the solution to this problem does not lie in bloodshed.

“For the first time in our history, we witnessed Igbos killing innocent Igbos for no just cause. When we recall that Igbos lost over two million people during the civil war I see no reason why we should shed more blood in Igboland. I plead with our people to allow peace to reign by ensuring that the elections in the Southeast are peaceful.”

“The elders believe that the solution to this is not by killing or bloodshed but in peaceful discussions and negotiations. The elders therefore unanimously resolved to hold a peace summit. The peace summit will allow the youths to air their grievances and I promise on behalf of the council of elders to resolve the opportunity to air their lives grievances and I promise on behalf of the council of elders to resolve the problems to the best of my ability.

BIAFRA NEWS : No sit-at-home during elections -IPOB

 

The Indigenous People of Biafra has condemned the incessant attacks on facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission in some parts of the South-East, especially within Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State and Orsuihiteukwa in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The pro-Biafran group also denied directing any sit-at-home in the South-East during the election period, urging residents to disregard the rumoured order making the rounds by the Simon Ekpa faction.

In a statement on Monday, the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, claimed that those attacking INEC facilities were primarily funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonise IPOB and the Eastern Security Network.

The group insisted that they had no interest in the Nigeria election, adding that its only demand is a referendum date to decide their political, social and economic future.

It said, “IPOB condemns the recent attacks on INEC offices and staff in Ihiala LGA, Anambra State. The criminal gangs operating within Ihiala LGA and Orsuihiteukwa in Orsu LGA, Imo State are primarily funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonise IPOB and ESN operatives.

“We maintain that we have no interest in the selection process called Nigeria election. Hence, we refrained from making any statement concerning the jamboree. Our only demand is a referendum date for us to decide our political, social and economic future either in a united Nigeria or independent Biafra nation. 

“Anybody linking IPOB to the malicious sit-at-home order must be very ignorant. IPOB has its own channels to disseminate information, through its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, or through an official IPOB memo signed by the Head of the directorate of state of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Chika Edoziem. Any IPOB public information that is not from the above-mentioned channels should be disregarded.

“We urge our people not to pay attention to any fake information linking IPOB to criminal activities of infiltrators and collaborators. IPOB volunteers and ESN operatives will make Biafraland very uncomfortable to criminal gangs paid to intimidate our people and blackmail our peaceful movement. Nigeria security agencies who have been aiding, abetting and supporting these criminals recruited and funded by politicians must steer clear because we will unleash our venom on those who want to blackmail IPOB.

“The task ahead is enormous, and our enemies are relentlessly exploiting every means to destroy IPOB through this election, but we won’t allow them to continue in their obnoxious plan to destroy IPOB and ESN operatives and derail our freedom march.

“The attacks on INEC facilities within this period are not supported by IPOB, because that will not add any positive value to our struggle. We are only seeking Biafra freedom through peaceful means and not through violence.”

BIAFRA NEWS : FAKE NEWS ALERT, Viral letter from Finnish PM threatening to arrest Simon Ekpa, IPOB disciple, is false

 

A viral letter on social media claims that the Finnish government has threatened to arrest Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Recently, videos emerged on Facebook of Ekpa pronouncing a sit-at-home order in the eastern states of the country from February 23 to 28.

— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí  (@ogundamisi) February 13, 2023

Peace mediation? Finland is an active host to a Terrorist who has been directing attacks in South East Nigeria and issuing instruction to restrict the rights of citizens to free movement.
Your government is paying lip service to Peace by your continued protection of Simon Ekpa. pic.twitter.com/n7PQ74eMQB

— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí  (@ogundamisi) February 16, 2023

“On the 23rd day of February 2023, there will be a sit-at-home. On the 24th day of February 2023, there will be a lockdown in the entire Biafra territory. On the 25th day of February 2023, Biafra land will be under lock and key. On the 26th of February 2023, Biafra land will be sealed and will be under the lock of key, there will be no movement of chicken. On the 27th of February 2023, Biafra land will be under total lock and key. On the 28th of February 2023, Biafra land will be under lock and key,” Ekpa said in a broadcast.

“I want Biafrans to understand that these particular dates and days are still subject to review, review in the sense that the sit at home may be called off at any point in time. In addition to the affirmation dates, there will be an imposition of curfew on two of those days – on the 24th and 25th of February 2023. In addition to the sit-at-home, there will be a six-to-six curfew. 

I tell you this & is a promise: There is no enemy of this country that will ever succeed. The worst fruitless struggle is that which is targeted against Nigeria pic.twitter.com/NbW7NvodSf

— Adamu Garba II (@adamugarba) February 16, 2023

The tweet had 98.8k views, 510 likes and 176 retweets.

Some news sites also published reports alleging that the letter came from the Finnish government.

When the community decides to cook for you, you will not be able to finish the food. Simon Ekpa has been issued a warning by the Finnish Government.

Obidients  pic.twitter.com/R12ZwEkJ0j

— Damian. (@BigChiefDamian) February 16, 2023

Patiently waiting to see what route Simon Ekpa will take, Finland gives 48 Hours to him to reverse Sit-At-Home Order Or Face International Terrorism. pic.twitter.com/0DEazWPX2U

— Nwaada Ọlụchi Your data plug. (@Ada_di_ora_mma) February 16, 2023

“Finland’s prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen is not the lady to mess around with. Simon Ekpa you are in serious trouble, you can ask the US government,” said another Twitter user.

Finland’s Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen is not the lady to mess around with.
Simon Ekpa you are in serious trouble, you can ask the U.S government. pic.twitter.com/B3KnQbrfE8

— Don  (@mgbikss) February 16, 2023

But did the Finnish government author the viral letter?

In a statement sent to TheCable, Ima Edem, media officer to the Finnish government, said the letter was not from the country.

“The letter purporting to be signed by the Prime Minister of Finland and currently circulating widely in the media does not originate from the Finnish government,” she said.

“We have reported the Twitter message, with which this fake letter was originally distributed, and asked Twitter to remove it.”

The viral letter threatening Ekpa with arrest and charges of international terrorism is not from the Finnish government.

“Simon Ekpa is on his way to Nigerian Prison. The Finnish authorities are after him. He’s now under global surveillance I tell you this & is a promise: There is no enemy of this country that will ever succeed. The worst fruitless struggle is that which is targeted against Nigeria,” he tweeted.

Simon Ekpa is on his way to Nigerian Prison. The Finnish authorities are after him. He’s now under global surveillance

The presidential and national assembly elections are slated to hold on February 25.

A few days after the video emerged on social media, a letter purportedly from the Finnish government surfaced on social media, warning the IPOB spokesperson to withdraw the sit-at-home order.

The letter allegedly signed by Sanna Marin, Finnish prime minister, and dated February 15 2023, claimed that Ekpa would be arrested and charged with international terrorism if the order is not reversed within 48 hours.

“There will be an imposition of curfew on all federal roads in the following areas: all federal roads leading to Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo state.

“I want Biafrans to understand that on these days mentioned, it will be an open war between Biafra and Nigeria because we are fighting to protect our life, our property, our villages, our cultures and values. So, anybody who the Nigerian government send to come and fight Biafra, we will engage you.”

.@simon_ekpa continues to use Finland as a base to destabilise Nigeria, particularly the South Eastern part of Nigeria. He's directly supervising violent insurrection.
Petitions to @TPKanslia and @EUinNigeria are being ignored and @GeoffreyOnyeama isn't raising same with the EU. pic.twitter.com/tBTQKg8yYb

FG meets Finland, seeks end to Biafra agitator incitement

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has met with Finnish Ambassadors as part of efforts to bring to book, and put an end to incitement of the Nigerian-Finnish lawyer and Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa.

In his remarks at the meeting held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Zubairu Dada said Ekpa’s action is fast becoming a threat to the forthcoming election, which the Federal Government must not take lightly

He called on the Finnish Government to do everything possible within the purview of the law to stop him from inciting further violence.

Zubairu said while Ekpa is in the comfort of his house in Finland, he issues orders to his teeming followers who consequently embark on killings, maimings and burning and other destructive activities.

“The most disturbing aspect is the fact that he is living in the comfort of his home in your country while dishing out these very dangerous orders to his followers not to allow these elections to hold. And that is threatening the peace of the southeastern part of Nigeria.

“Well, the conduct of peaceful elections in the south eastern parts of the country, and that is why we thought of the EU representative who, of course, has labored all these while and whose representatives are already on ground to monitor the elections.

“It’s important to get to know that I mean this These elections are being threatened by the actions of someone and that something needs to be done immediately, to address the situation. This in essence is why we thought it was important for us to have this discussion with you, so as to let you know our concerns and the displeasure of the Government of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria on this very unhealthy development,” Ambassador Zubairu noted.

The Minister thereafter played one of the audio tracks released by the Biafra agitator for the Finnish Ambassadors to further prove his points.

“We thought it was important for us to have this chat with you to let you know that, of course, he’s living in the comfort of his home there in Finland and we know that we have been in touch with your good self.

“We’ve had some time to ensure that we arrest this situation but it appears the situation is getting out of hand. And we’re saying enough is enough. We should let you know, in very strong terms that it’s high time you really mean and back Nigeria with the quest that something be done immediately because he threatens the forthcoming elections.