Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist and self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, has been arrested in Finland alongside four others for suspected terror-related offenses.
The Päijät-Häme District Court has remanded Ekpa on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests on Thursday, November 21, stating that the investigation involves allegations of promoting violence and crimes in South-Eastern Nigeria.
According to authorities, Ekpa, identified as the principal suspect, allegedly used social media platforms to incite violence against civilians and law enforcement in Nigeria. Four others have been arrested for allegedly financing these activities.
The Finnish police statement explained, “A Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The man is believed to have carried out activities from Finland that led to violence and other crimes in Nigeria.”
Otto Hiltunen, Crime Commissioner leading the investigation, highlighted the role of international cooperation in advancing the case. “The suspect’s activities have been facilitated, among other means, through social media,” Hiltunen said.
The arrests mark a significant escalation in the scrutiny of Ekpa’s activities, which have drawn global attention for their alleged links to violence in Nigeria. All suspects are currently in custody as investigations proceed, with claims being heard in the Päijät-Häme District Court.
