Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, and four other individuals have been arrested in Finland on charges related to terrorism.
According to Finnish media reports, Ekpa, who has declared himself the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded by the district court of Päijät-Häme. He is reportedly under investigation for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
In a statement released on Thursday, Finland’s Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five suspects in connection with terrorist activities.
The arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown on individuals accused of inciting violence and engaging in acts that threaten public safety.
Simon Ekpa has been a controversial figure, known for his advocacy for Biafra’s independence from Nigeria, often accompanied by calls for civil disobedience. This development marks a significant escalation in efforts to address his activities on Finnish soil.
The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”.
The police added: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”
The statement reads, “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
“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 quoted the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police as saying that “the man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.
“Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.
“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added.
