Nigerian separatist agitator and self-declared Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, Simon Ekpa, has been arrested in Finland along with four other individuals over suspected terror-related activities.
According to local reports, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The Central Criminal Police in Finland confirmed the arrest in a statement published on Thursday, stating that the five suspects were detained on suspicion of terrorist crimes. The police indicated that Ekpa, the primary suspect, was arrested on charges of incitement to commit a terrorist crime, while the four others were arrested for allegedly financing the terrorist activities.
“The claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21,” the statement read.
The police provided additional details, stating that the investigation involves a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, who is suspected of inciting crimes with terrorist intent. They suspect that the individual promoted violent actions from Finland, contributing to violence against civilians and authorities, as well as other crimes in the southeastern region of Nigeria.
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, who heads the investigation at the Central Crime Police, confirmed that Ekpa carried out much of his incitement via his social media channels. He added, “Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects were arrested earlier this week.”
The police further noted that international cooperation had played a key role in the ongoing preliminary investigation.
