IPOB: Simon Ekpa Arrested Over Suspected Terrorist Crimes
Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile (BRGIE), was arrested by Finnish authorities on Thursday over suspicions of public incitement to commit terrorism. Ekpa, who also identifies as a human rights activist, CEO, and senior legal advisor at Ekpa & Co Oy, as well as a Finnish politician, was detained alongside four others in Lahti, according to Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish newspaper.
The Central Criminal Police disclosed that Ekpa is accused of using social media platforms to incite violence in Nigeria’s southeastern region, targeting civilians and authorities.
“The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland with means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities, as well as other crimes in southeastern Nigeria,” said Otto Hiltunen, crime commissioner at the Central Criminal Police.
The four other suspects, foreign nationals born in the 1960s and 1970s, are accused of financing terrorism in August 2022. Investigators stated that these arrests were part of a broader international cooperation effort.
Ekpa first gained prominence following the arrest of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian government in 2021. Since then, Ekpa has commanded attention for coordinating sit-at-home orders in Nigeria’s Southeast, disrupting economic activities and intensifying regional unrest.
This isn’t Ekpa’s first brush with Finnish authorities. In February 2023, Nuesroom reported that he was briefly detained after Nigeria urged Finland to address his activities, which were deemed a threat to Nigeria’s elections and security.
This is a developing story. More Details later.
