Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in Finland for alleged terror-related activities, according to a statement by Finland’s Central Criminal Police.
Ekpa, who identifies as the Prime Minister of the self-declared Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded by the district court of Päijät-Häme on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
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The Finnish police disclosed on Thursday that Ekpa is suspected of using social media to incite violence in southeastern Nigeria, targeting civilians and authorities. “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels,” said Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen.
Four additional suspects were also arrested on charges of financing terrorist crimes. “All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week,” the statement added.
The police confirmed that international collaboration was integral to the preliminary investigation. The Päijät-Häme district court is set to hear the cases against the suspects on November 21.
Ekpa, a controversial figure in the Nigerian diaspora, has faced accusations of inciting unrest in Nigeria, often through inflammatory rhetoric on social media. Finnish authorities emphasized the seriousness of the charges and their commitment to addressing activities that promote violence.
