Senator Orji Kalu, representing Abia North, has revealed that he received threats from Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for not supporting the agitation for Biafra.
In an interview with Arise Television on Monday, Kalu said he ignored the threats from Ekpa, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of the people he represents.
“I am very strong-willed when it comes to security, and I can do anything to safeguard the lives and property of the people I rule,” Kalu said. “You must be a strong leader to condemn crime, and I eradicated crime. No governor should tolerate any type of crime in his state; it is not allowed.”
Kalu also called on security agencies to adopt proactive measures to combat crime, noting that security is built on intelligence. He emphasized the need for the federal government and state governors to work together to ensure the safety of the Igbo people.
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“Igbos must have safety on their hands. The federal government and state governors should work towards that, and the army should dismantle all the roadblocks in Igboland,” Kalu said. “Where people will come with transport and stop on the road is no longer viable; that is no longer security. Security is about intelligence.”
The senator also revealed that he had been threatened by Ekpa for not supporting the agitation for Biafra. However, Kalu said he left Ekpa to his conscience, emphasizing his commitment to democracy and his belief in the unity of Nigeria.
“Simon Ekpa was calling and threatening me that I don’t support Biafra, but I left him to his conscience,” Kalu said. “My conscience is that I am a democrat, an Igbo man at heart, and I believe in this country, and I believe in my tribe, where I come from, in Igbere.”
Kalu’s revelation comes amidst the ongoing trial of Ekpa in Finland, where he was arrested on November 21 for allegedly spreading terrorist propaganda on social media. The Finnish district court has fixed May 2025 for the prosecution to file charges against Ekpa.
The senator’s call for proactive measures to combat crime and his emphasis on the need for intelligence in security operations are timely, given the current security challenges facing the country.