Princewill Chimezie Richards
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| Princewill Chimezie Richards | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 25, 1993 Abba, Nkwerre, Imo State, Nigeria |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Nigerian |
| 💼 Occupation | Political activist |
| Known for | Leader of the Biafra Nations League (BnL) |
| Movement | Biafra separatist movement |
Princewill Chimezie Richards (born 25 May 1993) is a Nigerian political activist and separatist. He is the leader of the Biafra Nations League (BnL), a group advocating for the independence of Biafra with operations in the Bakassi Peninsula, covering territories in both Nigeria and Cameroon, as well as the wider Gulf of Guinea maritime region.[1][2]
Early life and education
Richards was born on 25 May 1993 in Abba, Nkwerre, Imo State, Nigeria. He is the son of the late Eze Richard O. Ekegbu, who was the Eze Ndigbo of Oyigbo, Rivers State.[3]
He grew up in Abuja, where he attended Model Primary School, Kubwa, before proceeding to Government Secondary School, Boarding House, Kuduru, Abuja, FCT. His education was frequently disrupted due to expulsions and insecurity, and reports note that his tertiary education was also affected by terrorist attacks and administrative disputes.[3]
Activism
Richards became involved in the pro-Biafra agitation in the early 2012s, he joined the Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM). That same year, he was arrested by Nigerian authorities during a protest and spent one month in prison.[4]
After his release, he gained further recognition when he became active in the Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL) and later assumed leadership of the Biafra Nations League (BnL).[3]
Under his leadership, BnL became the first Biafran separatist organisation to publicly form an alliance with Ambazonian separatists in Cameroon, citing common struggles across the Nigeria–Cameroon border.[5]
Political positions
In August 2024, Richards warned against the eviction of Igbo people from Lagos, threatening reprisals if such actions continued. He demanded compensation for Igbo businesses in the South-West if displacement were to occur.[1][2]
Richards has criticised IPOB’s sit-at-home orders, calling them counterproductive and harmful to ordinary citizens. Instead, he advocates for protests and actions that directly impact the Nigerian government.[6]
He has also publicly criticised Asari Dokubo, alleging that Dokubo’s activism is motivated by competition for oil pipeline protection contracts.[7]
Confrontations and security issues
The BnL under Richards has been linked with militant activity in the Bakassi Peninsula, including clashes with Nigerian security forces and alleged abductions of oil workers.[8]
In 2022, his home community in Bakassi reportedly came under occupation by the Nigerian Army amid rising tensions between BnL and state authorities.[9]
Health
In April 2020, Richards tested positive for COVID-19. According to BnL, he was smuggled into Southwest Cameroon through creeks for treatment, in order to avoid arrest in Nigeria.[10]
See also
- Biafra Nations League
- Bakassi Peninsula
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Evict Igbos from Lagos and see real war, Biafra separatist leader warns". Daily Post. 6 August 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Igbo must go tag: Separatist group talks tough". Blueprint.ng. 7 August 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Princewill Chimezie Richards biography, age, wife, children, net worth and more". TopMediaNG. 2023.
- ↑ "Biafra Zionist Movement members arrested in Enugu". Premium Times. 6 November 2012.
- ↑ "Ambazonia, Biafra groups form alliance". The Guardian Nigeria. 2019.
- ↑ "Biafra Nations League faults every Monday sit-at-home". The Nigerian Voice. 2021.
- ↑ "Biafra leader claims Asari Dokubo aims to secure Tompolo's pipeline contract". JustNaija. 2023.
- ↑ "Armed group reportedly abduct oil workers in Bakassi". Daily Post. 5 November 2022.
- ↑ "Fresh tension in Bakassi as Nigerian Army occupy community of Biafra League leader Princewill Richards". National Daily. 2022.
- ↑ "We smuggled our leader to Cameroon for coronavirus treatment – Biafra group". Daily Post. 16 April 2020.
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