Simon Ekpa, a prominent Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, was arrested in Finland on Thursday alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism. Ekpa, who has long been a vocal advocate for the secession of Nigeria’s South-East region, is accused of orchestrating violent actions against civilians and Nigerian authorities from Finland, primarily through social media platforms.
According to Finnish publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court after being charged with public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests, stating that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly funding terrorist activities.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said in a statement.
Ekpa has gained notoriety for his calls to disrupt Nigerian elections and his support for separatism in the South-East of Nigeria, particularly the Biafran region. In a widely circulated video from 2023, Ekpa declared, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory,” a statement that stirred considerable controversy.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who is leading the investigation, revealed that Ekpa used his social media channels to incite violence. “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels,” Hiltunen said.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation has disclosed that Ekpa, along with the other suspects—two of whom live in Helsinki—faces additional charges of financing terrorism. This is not the first time Ekpa has encountered Finnish authorities; in 2023, he was briefly detained on allegations of fundraising fraud.
The investigation into Ekpa’s activities has involved international cooperation, with Finnish police working alongside their counterparts in other countries. The suspects are scheduled to face hearings on Thursday.
Ekpa’s arrest comes amid growing concerns over the influence of separatist movements and the use of digital platforms to incite violence, raising questions about the broader implications for international security and law enforcement cooperation.
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