Simon Ekpa, self-proclaimed IPOB Leader, arrested

Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, and four other individuals have been arrested in Finland on suspicion of involvement in terrorism-related activities.

According to reports from Finland, Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on Thursday, November 21, facing charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

In a statement released by Finland’s Central Criminal Police, the arrests were made after a preliminary investigation into suspected terrorist crimes. The statement revealed that Ekpa, the primary suspect, is believed to have used social media to incite violence and promote criminal activities against civilians and authorities in South-Eastern Nigeria.

The police also arrested four others, who are suspected of financing the terrorist activities. The authorities added that international cooperation had played a key role in the investigation. All five suspects were detained earlier in the week.

Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, head of the investigation, stated that Ekpa’s actions, which included promoting violence via his social media platforms, had contributed to unrest in the region. The suspects are set to appear in court as part of ongoing legal proceedings.

The case continues to unfold, with further claims and details expected to be presented in court later today.

Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.