By Bayero Ade
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading Igbo socio-cultural organization, has decried the activities of Simon Ekpa and his auto-pilot militant group, blaming them for inflicting severe economic and social damage on the Southeast region.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze disclosed that the region has suffered investment losses exceeding N34 trillion, as businesses and investors have fled due to the violence and instability caused by Ekpa’s faction.
“Statistics show that over N34 trillion in investment opportunities have been lost across the Southeast’s 95 local government areas as a direct result of the terror propagated by Simon Ekpa and his group,” the statement said.
The group condemned Ekpa’s faction for using the struggle for Biafran independence as a cover for violence, including abductions, killings, and destruction. Ohanaeze lamented that these actions have only worsened the challenges faced by the Southeast while bringing no tangible progress to the cause they claim to fight for.
“What has this campaign of destruction achieved?” Isiguzoro questioned. “Rather than destabilizing Nigeria or advancing the Southeast’s interests, it has left our communities marginalized, weakened, and deprived of vital investments.”
Ohanaeze also criticized Ekpa’s planned declaration of a Sovereign Biafran Nation on December 2, 2024, warning that such moves are both reckless and detrimental to the region’s future.
The group called for unity among the Igbo people, urging them to reject divisive forces and instead embrace peaceful and constructive efforts to rebuild the Southeast.
“This is a time for unity and progress, not destruction. Let us focus on securing our future through peace and development,” the statement concluded.
Leave a Reply