Finnish Authorities Arrest Simon Ekpa, Four Others Over Alleged Terrorism

By Utebor Paul, Nigeria

The Finnish Central Criminal Police has confirmed the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of Biafra, alongside four others for alleged terrorism-related offences.

The arrest was made public on Thursday, as part of an ongoing investigation into activities linked to the agitation for a sovereign Biafra in Southeastern Nigeria.

Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian born in the 1980s, is accused of using social media to incite violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.

The Päijät-Häme District Court remanded him in custody on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

In an official statement, Finnish police revealed that Ekpa is the primary suspect in the case, while the four others are being investigated for financing a terrorist crime.

According to Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, who leads the investigation, the suspect’s actions allegedly promoted violence and other crimes through online platforms.

“All five suspects were arrested at the beginning of the week,” the police statement read, adding that international collaboration has played a critical role in the preliminary investigation.

The police disclosed that charges against Ekpa and his alleged accomplices would be heard in the Päijät-Häme District Court later on Thursday. Investigations are ongoing.

Simon Ekpa, is a prominent figure in the Biafra secessionist movement, which seeks independence for the southeastern region of Nigeria.

As a self-proclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ekpa has continued to advocate for Biafra’s independence.

Ekpa gained attention following Nnamdi Kanu’s 2021 arrest and extradition to Nigeria on charges including treasonable felony. Though briefly a broadcaster for IPOB’s Radio Biafra, he was later excluded by IPOB’s leadership due to disagreements.

From his base in Finland, Ekpa has issued directives such as sit-at-home orders, which have caused disruptions in southeastern Nigeria and are linked to violence in the region.

Nigerian authorities have accused him of inciting terrorism and sabotaging peace efforts.

The Nigerian government has expressed frustration over his activities, calling for international collaboration to address his alleged influence.

They have engaged entities such as the European Union to hold him accountable for actions deemed to threaten national security.

Ekpa’s activities, particularly through social media, have sparked significant controversy, with claims that his actions have exacerbated violence and unrest in Nigeria’s southeast