Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, has been remanded by the district court of Päijät-Häme in Finland on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, according to local reports from Finland.
The arrest was part of a broader crackdown on terror-related activities announced by Finland’s Central Criminal Police in a statement released on Thursday. The police confirmed the arrest of five individuals on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses, with Ekpa identified as the primary suspect.
According to the statement, Ekpa is accused of orchestrating and promoting violent activities from Finland, which have allegedly resulted in harm to civilians and security personnel in South-Eastern Nigeria. The police further disclosed that four other individuals were detained on allegations of financing terrorist activities linked to the same case.
“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,” the statement read.
Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian citizen, has been a controversial figure in Nigeria and the diaspora for his calls for the independence of Biafra and his leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). His activities, including inflammatory broadcasts and directives for sit-at-home orders in Nigeria, have been linked to widespread disruptions, violence, and economic losses in the region.
The Finnish authorities have faced increasing pressure to act against Ekpa amid growing concerns about his influence on violent activities in Nigeria. His arrest is seen as a significant step toward addressing international dimensions of terrorism and holding individuals accountable for actions that incite violence, even beyond their home countries.
This development marks a critical moment in the efforts to curtail transnational elements of terrorism, with investigations expected to shed more light on the alleged network of support and financing behind the activities.
