Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, noting that Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The police further revealed that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the authorities said.
Ekpa is accused of coordinating violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to further his separatist agenda.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who leads the investigation, added, “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) disclosed that Ekpa and the other suspects, including two residing in Helsinki, are also facing charges of financing terrorism.
This is not the first time Simon Ekpa has come under scrutiny from Finnish authorities.
In 2023, he was briefly detained on allegations of fundraising fraud.
Ekpa has also gained notoriety for his separatist rhetoric, particularly his calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.
The Finnish police emphasized that international cooperation has been essential to the ongoing investigation, with hearings for the suspects scheduled for Thursday.
Simon Ekpa, who self-identifies as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), was arrested and detained in Finland on charges of alleged terrorist activities.
The District Court of Päijät-Häme has sent Ekpa, a Lahti-based Nigerian municipal politician, to prison on probable cause, suspecting him of publicly inciting people to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
The court claims that Ekpa has been spreading separatist propaganda on social media, with the alleged crime occurring on August 23, 2021, in Lahti.
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The NBI is also seeking the detention of four additional men on terrorism-related charges.
Simon Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local roles, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee.
He is also known for leading a separatist movement in Nigeria, advocating for the establishment of an independent Biafran state in the country’s southeast.
Authorities believe that Ekpa used his position in Finland to incite violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria.
“This activity has been carried out, among other means, via social media channels,” stated Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen.
The NBI’s investigation is focused on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, who is suspected of inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
The police also suspect four other individuals of financing terrorism.
All five were apprehended earlier this week.
Among the suspects, Ekpa resides in Lahti, while two others have addresses in Helsinki. One of the suspects has no registered address in Finland.
Ekpa has previously been involved in criminal activities; in 2023, Finnish police detained him on suspicion of fundraising fraud, though he was released the same evening.
Ekpa’s separatist activism has drawn significant global attention, particularly his calls to boycott Nigerian elections.
In another widely circulated video, Ekpa declared, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory in 2023.”
Ekpa has also publicly justified the use of violence against Nigerian government forces, stating, “I support violence against Nigerian government forces.
This is self-defence. They constantly attack us and have committed numerous war crimes. We have no choice but to defend ourselves.”
NCP Secretary Timo Elo declined to comment on Ekpa’s potential membership in the party.
“We never say who is and who isn’t our member. That is confidential information,” Elo told Yle.
However, Elo stated that if any member of the party were suspected of terrorism offenses, their expulsion would likely follow.
He also remarked that Ekpa’s role on the public transport commission should be assessed at the local level.
