The Finland Central Criminal Police announced the arrest of Simon Ekpa on Thursday, November 21, 2024, on suspicions of engaging in terror-related activities, inciting violence, and financing terrorism. Alongside him, four other individuals were also taken into custody on similar charges.
Ekpa has been linked to the online coordination of violent actions against established authorities and innocent civilians in Nigeria’s southeastern region, primarily using his social media accounts from Finland. The Finland National Bureau of Investigation has indicated that Ekpa and the other suspects are facing serious charges, including inciting violence and financing terrorism. The identities of the additional suspects have not been made public.
Simon Ekpa is known as a Finnish politician and a Biafran political activist. In 2022, while residing in Finland, he announced the formation of the Biafra Government In Exile, subsequently declaring himself the leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile in 2023.
In related developments, the Federal Government of Nigeria stated on Thursday that it is closely monitoring the legal proceedings involving Ekpa in Finland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has committed to providing updates regarding the legal process.
In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, it was confirmed that “Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21, 2024. He faces charges of inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme has ruled to detain him based on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.”
