Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people of Nigeria, has strongly condemned the actions of Simon Ekpa and his self-proclaimed auto-pilot militant group.
The group’s violent campaign, according to Ohanaeze, has inflicted severe economic and social harm on the Southeast region, causing widespread fear, instability, and loss of livelihood.
In a statement signed by the group’s Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze revealed that the Southeast has suffered losses exceeding ₦34 trillion in investment opportunities due to the climate of terror created by Ekpa’s faction. Businesses and investors, deterred by insecurity, have fled the region, exacerbating economic hardship and unemployment.
“Recent statistics reveal that Igbos have sustained losses exceeding ₦34 trillion in investment opportunities across our 95 Local Government Areas due to the reign of terror propagated by Ekpa’s faction. This is a colossal tragedy that affects every Igbo household, as they endure the personal toll of violence, brutalities, and abductions perpetrated under the guise of seeking autonomy,” Isiguzoro stated.
The organization criticized the militant group for pursuing a campaign of violence under the pretext of advocating for Biafran independence, arguing that their actions have yielded no tangible results. Instead of advancing their stated goals, Ekpa’s activities have deepened the marginalization of the Igbo people, destabilized communities, and driven much-needed investment away from the Southeast.
“The truth that begs acknowledgement is: what tangible achievements have been realized from this campaign of destruction? Have any of their actions succeeded in threatening federal economic interests or eliciting any substantive governmental response? We must be candid. The answer is a resounding no. Rather than destabilizing Nigeria as intended, this group has only succeeded in further marginalizing our people, undermining our communities, and driving investment away from our beloved Southeast,” Isiguzoro emphasized.
Ohanaeze also took a firm stand against Ekpa’s ongoing advocacy for a sovereign Biafran nation, particularly his planned declaration on December 2, 2024. The organization described such actions as harmful and counterproductive, warning that they pose a grave threat to the future of the Southeast.
In its statement, Ohanaeze urged the Igbo people to reject divisive elements and instead focus on peaceful and constructive initiatives that promote unity, development, and security in the region. The organization stressed the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and long-term strategies for addressing the challenges facing the Southeast.
Mazi Isiguzoro concluded with a call for unity: “It is time for us to reject these destructive forces and instead work collectively towards rebuilding our region. Our strength lies in our unity, resilience, and ability to rise above adversity. Let us focus on strategies that will ensure the economic and social revival of the Southeast.”
Ohanaeze’s message serves as a rallying call for the Igbo people to prioritize development and reject the cycle of violence that continues to plague the region.
