November 21, 2024
Simon Ekpa, the leader of a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and self-acclaimed “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile (BRGIE), has been arrested in Finland on suspicion of terrorist activities.
On November 21, 2024, Ekpa was taken into custody by the Finnish Central Criminal Police, along with four other individuals, on charges related to terror-related activities.
The Päijät-Häme District Court ordered Ekpa to be remanded in prison based on probable cause, suspecting him of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
According to the Finnish authorities, Ekpa is accused of spreading separatist propaganda on social media, which has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region.
The alleged offence specifically dates back to August 23, 2021, in Lahti, Finland.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, leading the investigation, stated that Ekpa used his social media channels to promote violent actions and finance terrorist activities.
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, has been a prominent figure in the IPOB, advocating for the establishment of an independent Biafran state.
He took over as the de facto leader of IPOB after the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu and has been known for his separatist rhetoric, including calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.
In 2023, he declared in a social media video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”
This is not Ekpa’s first encounter with Finnish authorities.
In February 2023, he was briefly detained on allegations of fundraising fraud but was released after a few hours.
ALSO READ: How to persuade people to change their behaviour
Despite this, he continued his separatist activities, which have now led to his current arrest.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been conducting the investigation, which involves international cooperation.
The police suspect that Ekpa coordinated violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using his social media platforms to further his agenda.
The other four suspects, two of whom reside in Helsinki, face charges related to financing terrorist activities.
The arrest of Simon Ekpa raises significant questions about the future of the IPOB agitation.
As a key figure in the movement, his incarceration could potentially weaken the group, although it is uncertain how the situation will unfold.
A presidential spokesman in Nigeria indicated that President Bola Tinubu has not been briefed about the development, and a statement would be issued once the administration receives sufficient information.
Hearings for the suspects were scheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the district court of Päijät-Häme.
The Finnish police emphasized that international cooperation has been crucial to the ongoing investigation.
