HRM Eze Philip Ajomiwe, the former Chairman of the Umuahia North Traditional Rulers Council in Abia State, has expressed skepticism about the recent arrest of Finland-based pro-Biafra activist, Simon Ekpa, as a solution to the insecurity plaguing the South-East region.
The monarch, speaking exclusively with Vanguard, argued that the arrest could worsen tensions already heightened by the continued detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
According to him, the immediate and unconditional release of Kanu, and not the arrest of more Biafra agitators, remains the panacea to the rising tension and insecurity in the South East.
This is as the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has urged the Federal Government to initiate constructive dialogues with community and youth leaders in the South East with a view to addressing claims of marginalization through policies promoting equitable representation.
The monarch said: ” Arrest of Ekpa won’t solve the insecurity in the South East. I think it will rather increase it. We are talking of releasing Nnamdi Kanu but Government has not done anything about that.
“Even though Ekpa has made a lot of utterances which I don’t support, I don’t think his arrest or repatriation will bring any solution. Rather, it will worsen things.
” We don’t want killing of anybody – whether security operatives or civilians. If Government wants peace to be restored to South East, it should release Nnamdi Kanu. Arresting or repatriating Ekpa won’t help matters. When Sunday Igboho was arrested in Benin Republic, was he repatriated? They went there and settled everything. So, they should go there also and sort out things diplomatically”.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, in a statement, said Ekpa’s arrest “has brought to the fore the pressing insecurity issues in South East”, calling for urgent actions to address all issues leading to insecurity in the zone.
“Addressing the challenges posed by figures like Simon Ekpa requires a holistic approach, targeting the socio-political issues fueling discontent. Only then can sustainable peace and security in the Southeast be achieved. Without this comprehensive strategy, the cycle of violence and the rise of new separatist movements are likely to continue”, RULAAC said.
The statement further called for the implementation of programmes to combat poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits in the zone.
The statement made available to Vanguard further read: “Ekpa’s incendiary language has incited violence against civilians and security personnel, worsening tensions in the region.
“There is growing discontent among the Southeast populace regarding Ekpa’s activities and methods, which endanger lives and destabilize the local economy.
“Irresponsible political leadership and weak governance in the southeast have created a void that separatist groups have exploited.
“Long-standing grievances regarding political and economic exclusion have fueled support for extremist narratives.
“Military responses and violence have deepened local distrust and grievances against the government.
“The lack of legitimate avenues for expression has led to the rise of various separatist and criminal factions.”
RULAAC urged the Federal Government to strengthen community policing initiatives “to build trust and ensure law enforcement is protective, not oppressive.”
It also called for the development of programmes to engage youths positively and deter involvement in violent extremism.
It further read: ”It’s time to establish frameworks for monitoring extremist activities and ensuring accountability for incitement to violence.
“Additionally, the government must demonstrate its commitment to just solutions, including the call to release Nnamdi Kanu.”