The Finnish Central Criminal Police has apprehended Simon Ekpa, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) separatist group, alongside four other individuals, on suspicion of perpetrating terrorism-related offenses in Southeastern Nigeria. According to authorities, Ekpa allegedly utilized social media platforms to promote and incite violence against civilians and government institutions in Nigeria, with alleged crimes spanning from August 23, 2021, to November 18, 2024.
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, leading the investigation, revealed that Ekpa’s actions aimed to provoke widespread unrest and enforce a sit-at-home order in the Southeast region. This development follows previous concerns regarding Ekpa’s inflammatory rhetoric, including threats to disrupt Nigeria’s presidential election and intimidate participating citizens. Consequently, Nigerian authorities and legal experts had urged the Finnish government to intervene.
Ekpa and the four co-suspects, all foreign-born individuals from the 1960s and 1970s, are scheduled to face imprisonment demands at the Päijät-Häme District Court. The additional suspects are accused of facilitating terrorism financing in August 2022 in Lahti. The police emphasized international cooperation throughout the preliminary investigation, underscoring collaborative efforts to combat terrorism.
