Finland

Simon Ekpa, has been arrested in Finland along with four others on terror-related charges, The Finnish-Nigerian separatist and self-proclaimed leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile

It was gathered that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests, citing allegations of incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and financing terrorism.

The arrests, carried out earlier this week, led to the suspects being remanded by the district court of Päijät-Häme. Authorities allege that Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, used social media to incite violence in southeastern Nigeria, exacerbating tensions in the region.

Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, leading the investigation, emphasized the cross-border nature of the case, highlighting international cooperation in uncovering the alleged activities.

Ekpa, known for his radical activism, has a history of controversy. In 2023, Finnish police briefly detained him for suspected fundraising fraud. Globally, he has gained notoriety for advocating election boycotts and publicly endorsing violence. In one of his widely shared statements, Ekpa said, “I support violence against Nigerian government forces. This is self-defense against war crimes committed against us.”

The arrests signal a critical development in addressing allegations of international terrorism and separatist militancy, with implications for security both in the South East particularly, in Nigeria and abroad.