JUST IN: POLICE ARREST SIMON EKPA OVER TERRORISM CHARGE IN FINLAND
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Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, and four other people were detained in Finland on suspicion of engaging in acts related to terrorism, such as inciting violence and financing terrorism.
The Päijät-Häme District Court remanded Ekpa in detention on allegations of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent, according to the local newspaper Yle.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests, according to the outlet, adding that the other individuals had been detained on suspicion of funding terrorism.
“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 is accused of coordinating violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to further his agenda.
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Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who leads the investigation, revealed, “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
Ekpa and the other suspects, two of whom live in Helsinki, are accused of financing terrorism, according to the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation.
Ekpa has had previous run-ins with Finnish authorities. He was briefly arrested in 2023 on charges of fundraising fraud.
Ekpa’s separatist speech, especially his efforts to sabotage Nigerian elections, has also brought him prominence.
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.
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