Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa, along with four others, has been arrested in Finland on suspicions of engaging in terror-related activities, including inciting violence and financing terrorism.
Local outlet Yle reports that the Päijät-Häme District Court has placed Ekpa in custody on charges of encouraging criminal acts with terrorist intent. According to a statement from the Finnish Central Criminal Police, the other individuals were arrested for allegedly supporting terrorist operations.
“The detention requests are linked to a preliminary investigation involving a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, who is suspected of publicly inciting terrorist-related crimes,” the police said.
Ekpa is alleged to have organized violent acts against civilians and government officials in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, utilizing social media to promote his agenda. Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who oversees the inquiry, noted, “The individual has conducted this activity, among other methods, on his social media platforms.”
This is not Ekpa’s first interaction with Finnish law enforcement; he was briefly detained in 2023 on charges of fraud involving fundraising. Additionally, he has become well-known for his separatist comments, including his calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.
In a widely circulated social media video from 2023, he proclaimed, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be permitted in Biafran territory.” Finnish authorities emphasized that international collaboration has been vital to this ongoing investigation, with hearings for the suspects set for Thursday.
