News
Biafra: Sentence Ekpa, release Nnamdi Kanu – Southeast stakeholders
The recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, has sparked mixed reactions, particularly among Southeast indigenes, many of whom are calling for his prosecution and sentencing in Finland.
Ekpa was arrested last Thursday by Finnish authorities alongside four others. They were subsequently detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court for allegedly “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.” The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) disclosed that Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, faces charges of inciting public offenses with terrorist intent and financing terrorism.
Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, leading the investigation, accused Ekpa of using social media to incite violence against civilians and public authorities in Southeastern Nigeria. “From Finland, the suspect has orchestrated efforts resulting in violence and crimes in Southeast Nigeria,” Hiltunen stated.
Ekpa’s arrest coincides with escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Southeast, where armed groups have been enforcing violent sit-at-home orders, initially introduced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to demand the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Despite IPOB suspending the sit-at-home directive, Ekpa and his supporters have continued to propagate violence, a stance IPOB has consistently disavowed.
Voices from the Southeast
Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, suggested that releasing Nnamdi Kanu would better address insecurity in the region than Ekpa’s arrest. He argued that Kanu’s release would differentiate genuine agitators from criminals exploiting the situation. “You cannot achieve Biafra by killing fellow Biafrans or creating chaos,” Abaribe remarked. “When Kanu is released, we can identify the true agitators from those using his incarceration as an excuse for violence.”
A retired U.S. Army Captain and strategist, Bishop Johnson, stressed that the Finnish government’s handling of Ekpa’s case would determine its impact on the Southeast. He noted that holding Ekpa accountable in Finland could disrupt his influence and stop his sponsors. However, he cautioned that extraditing Ekpa to Nigeria could escalate violence, especially if due process is not followed.
Call for Accountability
Osita Okechukwu, former Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), lauded Ekpa’s arrest, calling it overdue. He criticized Ekpa’s violent methods, saying, “He has caused untold harm to Ndigbo, grounding the Southeast economy and leading to countless deaths. His strategy is criminal and unjustifiable.” Okechukwu urged for Ekpa’s sentencing, either in Finland or Nigeria, emphasizing that justice must be served for his actions.
A Path to Peace
Experts and stakeholders have argued that a combination of Ekpa’s prosecution and Kanu’s release would help restore peace in the Southeast. Johnson observed, “Releasing Kanu would remove the pretext used by criminals masquerading as agitators, while prosecuting Ekpa would curtail external incitement.”
As investigations and legal proceedings continue, the Southeast looks to these developments as potential turning points in resolving the region’s prolonged insecurity and violence.
……Appoints AIG Tunji Disu as New Inspector-General of Police.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu as his successor, multiple reliable sources confirmed on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The development followed a directive from President Tinubu asking Egbetokun to resign, reportedly during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.
Egbetokun, who served as the 22nd IGP, had been in the position since his appointment by Tinubu on June 19, 2023, with confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.
Sources within the presidency and the Nigeria Police Force indicated that preparations were underway for a formal handover ceremony from Egbetokun to Disu. An official announcement from the presidency was expected shortly.
Tunji Disu, who until recently served as the AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos, is set to become the 23rd Inspector-General of Police. Described by some reports as one of Nigeria’s finest contemporary officers, Disu is anticipated to receive swift confirmation from the Senate.
Egbetokun had been appointed at age 58 and was originally due for retirement on September 4, 2024, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, though his tenure extended beyond that point.
The leadership change marks a significant shake-up in Nigeria’s security apparatus amid ongoing efforts to address policing challenges across the country.
Further details on the reasons for the removal and Disu’s priorities as the new IGP are yet to be officially disclosed.
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, confirmed Pastor Peter Akpe as the new Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
The confirmation occurred during a plenary session after Governor Douye Diri nominated Akpe to replace the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who died in December 2025.
Pastor Akpe, a clergyman with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and holder of a Ph.D., had served as Chief of Staff to Governor Diri at Government House, Yenagoa.
He is from Ebedebiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa West Senatorial District—the same senatorial district as his predecessor.
Prior to his appointment as Chief of Staff in March 2024, Akpe held several key positions, including Deputy Chief of Staff (2020–2023), Acting Chief of Staff, Head of Administration, and member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, where he also served as Majority Leader during the Seriake Dickson administration.
With the lawmakers’ approval, Pastor Peter Akpe is now cleared for swearing-in, completing the process to fill the vacant deputy governorship position and ensuring continuity in the state’s executive arm under Governor Douye Diri’s leadership.
…..All Control Tower Personnel Safely Rescued.
A fire outbreak at Terminal 1 (also referred to as the old international terminal) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos has been successfully contained, according to officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
The blaze, which originated from the IT server room on the third floor of a five-storey building near the E-wing of the departure lounge, prompted a swift multi-agency response involving the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other emergency teams.
Controller General Margaret Adeseye of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed in an official update that the fire is now under control. Critically, all 12 personnel in the control tower were rescued alive and uninjured, with no one left trapped in the incident.
“Further updates will be made available in due course,” Adeseye stated.
Related reports from FAAN indicate that a crane was deployed to aid in the rescue efforts at the control tower, where up to 14 individuals were initially reported as trapped in some accounts. All have since been safely evacuated. While some sources mention minor injuries (such as six individuals in stable condition), the primary update from the fire service emphasizes no serious harm to the control tower staff and no fatalities.
The incident led to temporary disruptions, including the closure of the Lagos airspace and suspension of flights at the airfield, as a precautionary measure. Authorities are working to restore operations, potentially through a temporary control tower setup.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with preliminary indications pointing to the server room as the origin. The affected terminal, which has been undergoing renovations, saw emergency evacuations and containment efforts to prevent spread to other sections.
No lives were lost in the incident, and emergency operations continue to monitor the site for full safety. Airport authorities and emergency services have commended the coordinated response that minimized risks to personnel and infrastructure.
Travelers are advised to check with airlines for updates on flight statuses amid the ongoing recovery efforts.
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