Simon Ekpa Arrested in Finland on Terrorism Charges

Simon Ekpa, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been arrested and detained in Finland on allegations of involvement in terrorist activities.

The District Court of Päijät-Häme ordered his detention on charges of inciting people to commit crimes with terrorist intent.

Allegations of Separatist Propaganda

Finnish authorities allege that Ekpa, a Nigerian-born municipal politician living in Lahti, has been spreading separatist propaganda through social media channels.

The charges relate to events between August 23, 2021, and the present, with the alleged crimes said to have taken place in Lahti.

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also requested the arrest of four additional suspects connected to terrorism-related offenses.

Authorities claim that Ekpa used social media to promote violence against civilians and Nigerian government forces in Southeast Nigeria.

“His activities are carried out on social media platforms, for example,” said Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the NBI.

Incitement of Violence During Nigerian Elections

During Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, Ekpa publicly called for a boycott in the southeastern region, declaring that no elections would take place there.

In a widely viewed video, he endorsed the use of violence, describing it as self-defense against alleged government aggression.

“I condone violence against Nigerian government forces. It’s a question of self-defense. They constantly attack us and commit war crimes.

We are forced to defend ourselves,” Ekpa said in the video, which garnered around 800,000 views on X (formerly Twitter).

Finnish police say the investigation into Ekpa is part of a broader effort to address terrorism-related crimes.

The NBI previously issued a statement about arresting one individual for inciting terrorism and four others for financing terrorist activities. All five suspects, including Ekpa, were apprehended earlier this week.

Ekpa’s latest arrest marks the second time Finnish authorities have detained him. In 2023, he was arrested on suspicion of money collection offenses but released the same day.

Ekpa is a member of Finland’s National Coalition Party and holds a position on the Lahti Region Public Transport Committee. However, party officials have remained silent about his arrest or his membership status.

“We cannot disclose who is a member of our party. That is confidential information,” said Timo Elo, the party’s secretary. He added that the party may review the matter after legal proceedings are completed.

Pirjo Mäljä, the executive director of the Häme National Coalition Party, declined to comment on Ekpa’s case, emphasizing the importance of allowing the police and judiciary to handle the investigation.

Who Is Simon Ekpa?

Simon Ekpa, born in 1985, is a dual Nigerian-Finnish citizen and self-proclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of IPOB.

Ekpa is an advocate for the restoration of the Republic of Biafra and has called for election boycotts in Nigeria’s southeastern region until Kanu is released.

On his social media platforms, including his Twitter account with over 60,000 followers, Ekpa identifies himself as a human rights activist, legal researcher, author, and politician.

He uses these platforms to communicate his separatist agenda and rally his followers.