By Francis Ajuonuma
The apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has described the six-year imprisonment of Simon Ekpa in Finland for terrorism-related offences as a landmark breakthrough against insecurity in the South-east, while calling on armed agitators to embrace peace.
In a statement jointly signed by Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and National Spokesman, Chief Thompson Ohia, Ohanaeze expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for what it called their decisive efforts in ending the Monday sit-at-home protests and rolling back the wave of violence in the region.
“The incarceration of Simon Ekpa represents not just an international recognition of his crimes, but a turning point for peace and stability in Igboland. We stand united against violence and reject any form of terrorism in the name of Biafra,” the group declared.
Ohanaeze, however, stressed that while Ekpa’s conviction sends a strong deterrent message, the Federal Government must seize the opportunity to engage repentant nonviolent agitators, adopting a “carrots and sticks” approach similar to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s amnesty model that ended Niger Delta militancy in 2008.
The group noted that many youths misled into armed struggle are educated graduates and entrepreneurs, adding that rehabilitation and empowerment programmes should be designed for their reintegration.
“This is a clarion call to all armed agitators still hiding in the bushes. Lay down your weapons, embrace peace, and return to society. Ohanaeze will lobby the Federal Government to ensure rehabilitation and youth empowerment for repentant agitators,” the statement said.
While acknowledging that some Igbo political leaders may remain cautious in publicly celebrating Ekpa’s conviction, Ohanaeze insisted that, privately, there is a shared sense of relief across the South-east.
The group concluded by urging unity, peace, and constructive engagement with the government as the only viable path to addressing the longstanding grievances of the South-east.
