BREAKING: Simon Ekpa Arrested, Detained by Finland Authority on Suspicion of Terrorism

Simon Ekpa, the leader of Biafra separatist group has been arrested and detained in Finland.

Ekpa was arraigned and detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court on probable cause for incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent. The alleged offense occurred in Lahti on 23 August, 2021.

Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local roles, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. He is also known for leading a separatist group in Nigeria advocating for the establishment of an independent Biafran state in the country’s southeast.

According to the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Ekpa is suspected of using his leadership position in a Nigerian separatist group to promote actions that have led to violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria. These efforts are believed to have been coordinated from Finland, including through Ekpa’s social media channels.

“This activity has been carried out, among other means, via social media channels,” said Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen in a statement.

The NBI further stated that its investigation focuses on Ekpa, who is a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, he suspected of publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.

A Finnish local newspaper reports that Ekpa has previously been implicated in criminal activities. In 2023, Finnish police detained him on suspicion of fundraising fraud but released him later the same evening.

Ekpa’s separatist activism has drawn global attention, particularly his calls to boycott Nigerian elections.

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

Ekpa has also publicly justified the use of violence.

“I support violence against Nigerian government forces. This is self-defence. They constantly attack us and have committed numerous war crimes. We have no choice but to defend ourselves,” he stated.

Source: yle