Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, has been arrested in Finland alongside four other individuals for alleged terrorism-related offenses.
Local reports indicate that the Päijät-Häme District Court has remanded Ekpa in custody on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The Finnish Central Criminal Police, in a statement released on Thursday, November 21, confirmed the arrest of five individuals suspected of terrorism-related crimes. According to the statement, Ekpa was detained “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while the other four were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime.”
The police detailed that the investigation focuses on a “Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s,” suspected of promoting activities that have incited violence against civilians and authorities in South-Eastern Nigeria.
“The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels,” stated Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, the lead investigator.
Regarding the other suspects, the police disclosed: “The four additional suspects are accused of financing the activities under investigation. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.”
The statement also emphasized the role of international cooperation in advancing the investigation. The police noted, “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme District Court today, November 21.”
Further details about the ongoing investigation and the suspects’ alleged activities are expected as the case unfolds.
