Finnish authorities have arrested Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator and self-declared Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, along with four others over alleged terrorism-related activities.
According to the district court of Päijät-Häme, Ekpa was detained on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The four other suspects were apprehended on allegations of financing terrorist crimes.
A statement from Finland’s Central Criminal Police disclosed that the investigation centers on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s. Authorities suspect that Ekpa utilized his platform to incite violence in southeastern Nigeria, targeting both civilians and government authorities.
“The man is believed to have promoted his objectives through actions that resulted in violence and other crimes in South-Eastern Nigeria,” said Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen.
Investigators allege that Ekpa’s activities were largely conducted via his social media channels, which served as a platform for incitement and mobilization.
The arrests mark a significant development in the ongoing efforts to curtail activities linked to separatist movements outside Nigeria that contribute to unrest within the country.