By Milcah Tanimu
Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack that killed four police officers and a civilian on the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday, July 29.
Ekpa, who leads the Autopilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), posted a video of the attack on social media, asserting that his Biafra Defence Forces had neutralized the police operatives and seized their weapons.
Henry Okoye, spokesperson for the Imo State police, confirmed the incident and attributed it to IPOB. According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen were likely enforcing an illegal sit-at-home order, a common intimidation tactic used by the separatist group.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen based in Finland, has been associated with numerous violent attacks in the region. His Autopilot faction is known for its aggressive methods.
In his statement, Ekpa demanded the withdrawal of Nigerian security forces from Biafraland, threatening further attacks if his demands are not met. He declared, “The Biafra Defence Forces Owerri Command has recovered weapons from the terrorists after neutralizing them. We demand the withdrawal of all Nigerian terrorists from Biafraland as we approach our declaration in December. If you think you can use force and terrorism tactics to keep us in the union, this will continue to be your fate in Biafraland.”
