Finnish authorities have arrested Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafran agitator, alongside four others on allegations of terrorism-related activities.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stated that Ekpa is being held on suspicion of public exhortation to commit an offence with terrorist intent. The other four suspects are accused of financing terrorist activities.
Although the police statement did not directly name Ekpa, Finnish news outlet Helsingin Sanomat identified him in its report. The NBI noted that the suspect, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria born in the 1980s, is accused of using social media to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East region.
“The police suspect that the man has furthered his efforts from Finland in such a way that has resulted in violence against civilians and public authorities and in other crimes in South-East Nigeria,” said Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen.
The statement also confirmed international cooperation during the investigation and noted that the arrests were made earlier this week.
Ekpa has faced legal scrutiny in Finland before. In February 2023, he was detained ahead of Nigeria’s general elections after threatening to disrupt the process in the South-East. He also enforced a controversial sit-at-home order in the region to protest the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
While Ekpa claims to represent IPOB, the group’s mainstream leadership has distanced itself from him. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, during an August visit to Abuja, Nigeria, confirmed that Ekpa’s activities had been reported to Finnish authorities and were under legal review.
Despite IPOB’s suspension of the sit-at-home protests, Ekpa continues to advocate for them, labeling himself the “Prime Minister of Biafra.”
Finnish police are pressing for the remand of all five suspects as investigations into the case continue.
