FG confirms Ekpa’s arrest, says it’s a welcome development in tackling IPOB activities
The federal government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has confirmed the arrest of Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa, who is also a prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Thursday by the Finnish authorities, describing the arrest as a significant development in tackling the activities of IPOB and neutralising the influence of transnational actors, and their impact on national security.
According to a statement by Kimiebi Ebienfa, the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday in Abuja, Ekpa was arrested on charges of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
The statement read in parts, “The ministry wishes to confirm the arrest of Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed IPOB, by Finnish authorities on Thursday, Nov. 21.
“He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
“The Finnish authorities alleged that Ekpa used social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal actions, which had caused significant disruptions in the South-East of Nigeria.
“Finnish investigators had also linked him to incidents of violence in Nigeria, which were believed to have been fueled by his online activities.
“The arrest of Ekpa follows sustained diplomatic pressure by the Nigerian government on Finland, to take action against his activities, linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria.”
It explained that the request for action featured during high-level engagements between the two countries.
“The ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” he said.
Backstory
Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader alongside four others, was on Thursday arrested on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
Ekpa was accused of coordinating violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to further his agenda.
According to a report from a local publication, Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five individuals suspected of terrorist activities in a statement released on Thursday, November 21.
According to the statement, Simon Ekpa, identified as the main suspect, was detained “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while the four others were apprehended “for financing a terrorist crime.”
“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.”
“Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”
The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, head of the investigation, stated: “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
“All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week,” the statement confirmed, adding that international cooperation has been integral to the preliminary investigation.
Ekpa, a Finnish politician and Biafran political activist, was reported to have in 2022 declared activation of Biafra Government in exile and himself leader in 2023 while in exile.
NAN
