BRGIE Appeals to US Congress to Halt Arms Sales to Nigeria Over Alleged Human Rights Violations

Story: written by Okafor Joseph September 23,2025
The Simon Ekpa-led Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has called on lawmakers in the United States to suspend the sale of arms to Nigeria, citing alleged human rights violations in the South-East region.

Acting Prime Minister of BRGIE, Ogechukwu Nkere, disclosed in a statement on Monday that he recently held meetings in Washington with Congressman Brian Mast (Republican–Florida), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Congresswoman Lamonica McIver (Democrat–New Jersey). He explained that the discussions centered on urging the US government to reconsider arms sales to Nigeria due to ongoing detentions and alleged abuses.

Nkere pointed to the incarceration of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently on trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja, as well as the conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland. Following Ekpa’s detention, Nkere said he assumed responsibility for the active leadership of BRGIE.

He further revealed that he met with Ambassador Tibor Nagy, a former senior US State Department official with vast African experience, to encourage stronger US engagement on the Biafra issue.

“In the meetings, I urged the United States to engage strategically with BRGIE and to place a pause on arms sales to Nigeria. I also raised concerns over human rights violations, including the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu, and recommended that the US press for his release,” Nkere stated.

He also appealed for Washington’s intervention over what he described as Finland’s persecution and conviction of Simon Ekpa.