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Biafra: Sentence Ekpa, release Nnamdi Kanu – Southeast stakeholders

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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.

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IBADAN: Early Morning Fire Destroys Shops, Millions Lost in Property

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An early morning fire on Friday, September 12, 2025, gutted four shops at Saki Garage, opposite Trans Amusement Park in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The fire, which started around 2:07 a.m., affected four out of eleven shops in the complex. No casualties were reported, but properties worth millions of naira were lost.

Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident and said firefighters were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.

The fire was traced to embers left unattended after business hours, which ignited nearby flammable materials.

Akinwande advised the public to be vigilant, keep fire extinguishers at home and in shops, and store emergency fire service numbers. He also commended Amotekun officers from the Bodija Division for providing security during the firefighting operation.

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Air Peace Differs with NSIB reports on crews involvement in drugs, alcohol

Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!

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Air Peace has responded to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) regarding the incident involving one of its aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.

The airline said to date, no official communication was received on crew toxicology results by NSI, B, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had cleared the co-pilot on duty.

In a statement by Air Peace, it stated that it is yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident!

“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight.

“Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!

The NSIB had on Thursday released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, operated by Air Peace, saying initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.

The report said that a cabin crew member also tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.

“These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.”, a statement on the report signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, said.

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Hilda Baci Cooking World’s Largest Pot of Jollof Rice Today at Eko Hotel

Baci also disclosed she would be using 250 bags of rice to create what she hopes will become the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice.

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Celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci is cooking what she describes as the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice at Eko Hotel and Suites today (Friday) in Lagos.

A video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday showed the moment the massive pot arrived at the venue of the record-breaking attempt in Lagos.

Another clip shared on her Snapchat story captured Hilda and her mother praying at the venue ahead of the event.

Baci announced on Wednesday that more than 20,000 people had registered to attend the event dubbed “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci”

She emphasised that the event which kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 12, is free to attend, and that guests will “certainly not be paying for the amazing meal that I’m going to make for you.”

According to Baci, the historic attempt will feature a giant pot measuring six metres wide and six metres tall, in collaboration with seasoning and culinary brand Gino.

Baci also disclosed she would be using 250 bags of rice to create what she hopes will become the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice

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