Onyekachi Eze 
Prominent sons and daughters of South East extraction have called on the Finnish government and the European Union (EU), to immediately activate measures for the repatriation of a fugitive, Simon Ekpa, who they said, has continued denigrate the image and dignity of Nigeria.
The professionals in a statement issued by its National President Prof. O.C Madumere, and Secretary Mazi Uche Igbokwe, as well as the Coordinator of the Women Wing Dr (Mrs) Chioma Maduka, condemned the sit-at-home order in the region, by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The professionals under the aegis of Coalition of South East Professionals Network in Nigeria and Diaspora (CSEPNND), argued that the continued sit-at-home in the South East has negative effect on the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
According to the group, apart from loss of lives of innocent, hardworking Igbo people, businesses have continued to suffer due to the activities of the secessionists.
“We regret to state that this development has continued to have negative effect on the socio-economic and political lives of South East indigenes and residents, who suffer losses each time the aberration happens,” CSEPNND stated.
It added that Igbo people are known to be peaceful and hospitable, considering their entrepreneurial spirit, which, the group said, makes them accommodating.
“It is noteworthy that whatever IPOB members are agitating for may have lost its steam and essence, against the backdrop of the fact that their brothers and sisters are the ones at the receiving end of their activities,” the group noted.
The professionals also decried the killing of soldiers at a military checkpoint in Aba, Abia State, about two weeks ago, and urged the authorities to do everything within the law to apprehend the killers, their sympathisers, and bring them to deserved justice.
They commended the ongoing kinetic and non-kinetic actions by Operation Udo Ka, and urged South Easterners both at home and in the diaspora, to support the military, in order root-out criminal elements terrorising the area.
CSEPNND also passed a vote of confidence in the military high command, led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa.
It called on South East states to set up internal security platforms, to complement the efforts of the military and other security agencies.
