Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland along with four other individuals on suspicion of involvement in terrorism-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing. Ekpa, who has been vocal in his calls for Biafran independence, was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
According to Finnish authorities, Ekpa coordinated violent actions targeting civilians and government forces in Nigeria’s South-East region, utilizing social media to promote his separatist agenda. The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests on Thursday, revealing that the other suspects were involved in financing these activities.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who is leading the investigation, stated that Ekpa carried out his incitement through various social media channels. This marks the second time Ekpa has been detained by Finnish authorities; he was previously arrested in 2023 on allegations of fundraising fraud.
Ekpa is widely known for his outspoken opposition to the Nigerian government and his calls to disrupt the country’s elections, particularly in the Biafran region. In 2023, he was seen in a viral video declaring that no elections would be allowed in Biafran territory.
International cooperation has been pivotal to the investigation, and hearings for Ekpa and the other suspects were scheduled for Thursday.
