Simon Ekpa Apprehended In Finland Over Terrorism Activities 

By Stephen Asaba-ase

A Nigerian Biafra separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa was apprehended in Finland with four others on suspicion of terrorism connected activities, including incitement of international violence and financing finance.

Meanwhile, Ekpa was detained and put in the custody by Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of fanning public crimes with terrorist activities.

However, the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, saying that the other suspects were equally detained for allegedly bank-rolling 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.

Ekpa has also been faulted for encouraging violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using his social media platforms to further his agenda.

Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who leads the investigation, disclosed that, “The man has carrying out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation disclosed that Ekpa, alongside the other suspects, two of whom reside in Helsinki, faces 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.

Ekpa has also gained notoriety for his separatist rhetoric, particularly his calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.

In 2023, he declared in a widely circulated social media video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”

Finnish police stated that international cooperation has been crucial to the ongoing investigation, with hearings for the suspects scheduled for Thursday.