Biafra: “If anything happens to me” — Cybersecurity expert flags alarm

Nigerian cybersecurity expert Charles Awuzie, now based in South Africa, has publicly revealed that Biafra separatist leader Simon Ekpa has renewed threats against his life.

Awuzie, known for his outspokenness on socio-political issues, alleges that Ekpa, a controversial figure advocating for Biafra’s independence, began targeting him during the last Nigerian presidential election when Awuzie openly opposed Ekpa’s call to prevent elections from taking place in the South East.

In a Facebook post, Awuzie detailed the gravity of the situation, stating that he’s had to sacrifice his once-private life due to the looming danger posed by Ekpa and his supporters.

Awuzie claims that Ekpa’s followers have taken his opposition personally, leading to constant threats since he challenged Ekpa’s attempt to disrupt the democratic process in the region. Despite the risk, Awuzie stood firm, asserting that elections must hold in the South East, a region he and Ekpa both hail from.

Awuzie’s defiance didn’t come without consequences.

“Nobody could stand up against Simon Ekpa’s declaration for fear of being ‘kpai-d’,” Awuzie wrote, using a slang term for being killed. “I did. I challenged his declaration and told him that elections MUST hold.”

The expert further alleged that the separatist’s threats have intensified, particularly as he made plans to return to Nigeria. “Few hours to my arrival in Lagos, dreaded separatist, Simon Ekpa has renewed his threats against me.”

The situation has escalated to the point where Awuzie is warning the global community to hold Ekpa accountable if any harm comes his way. “If anything happens to me, the world now knows who to hold responsible,” he said.

His Facebook post also included a screenshot of an alleged message from Ekpa, in which the Biafra agitator vowed never to forget or forgive Awuzie’s defiance.

Awuzie’s brave stance has made him a prominent voice against separatist movements like Ekpa’s, which have caused political unrest in Nigeria. He criticized the silence of others who, according to him, feared for their lives and opted to remain quiet in the face of threats. “When nobody stood up to him for fear of being killed, I did,” he said. “I am not afraid to die.”

Ekpa, a former disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has garnered both support and criticism for his aggressive push for Biafran independence, often resulting in violent clashes and disruptions in Nigeria’s South East.