The Simon Ekpa-led United States of Biafra has demanded that the Nigerian police, military, and non-state actors vacate the South-East region, parts of the South-South, and other territories it claims as its own.
This comes amid reports by the human rights organisation, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), that at least 180 people were allegedly killed in the South-East by security agencies and non-state actors between December 2024 and January 2025.
The report is yet to receive a response from either the police or the military.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, Dr Ngozi Orabueze, known as Ekpa’s deputy, said the decision followed the passage of 11 bills proposed by the Biafra group in a virtual meeting held on Thursday, 30 January 2025.
According to her, the bills include the Constitution Bill, a tax bill for oil companies and foreign businesses, a voluntary tax bill for business owners, a bill to prohibit all non-state actors within its territories, and a bill for the defence of its territories.
Orabueze, who has been acting on Ekpa’s behalf since his detention, stated that the cabinet she is leading also passed the Conscription Bill, the Printing and Circulation of Currency Bill, the International Passport and Driving Licence Bill, the Decentralisation of the Military Bill, the Dissolution of the BRGIE Cabinet Bill, and the Bill to Adopt USB Official Addresses.
According to Orabueze, the implementation of these bills is a prerequisite for the progress of Biafra.
“The decision marks a turning point in the history of the United States of Biafra.
“In perspective, the bills mandate that the administrators of the 40 Biafra states be called governors, while heads of departments become commissioners. For instance, we now have the Governor of the State of Ohaukwu.
“The prohibition mandates the immediate cessation and withdrawal of Nigeria’s military and police from the 40 states of Biafra,” Orabueze claimed.
She stated that over 120 cabinet members, including 40 state administrators, departmental secretaries, heads of country liaisons, and other cabinet officials, attended the virtual meeting.
DAILY POST recalls that Ekpa has been detained by the Finnish government since November 2024.
Last week, the Organisation of Emerging African States called for Ekpa’s immediate release in line with European conventions.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the order by Justice Abdu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, proscribing the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and designating it a terrorist organisation.
In its judgment, a three-member panel of the court unanimously agreed with the lawyer representing the Federal Government, Oyin Koleosho, that the state acted lawfully in proscribing the group, whose activities threatened the nation’s continued existence and the security of its citizens.
