The Nigerian government officially confirmed on Friday the arrest of Simon Ekpa, who is known as the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, by authorities in Finland. The arrest came as a result of ongoing diplomatic pressure from Nigeria, urging Finland to take action against Ekpa’s activities that have been linked to violence and unrest in the southeastern region of Nigeria. GistReel reports that Simon Ekpa was arrested on Thursday, alongside four other individuals, on suspicion of participating in terrorist activities. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme has since remanded him into custody, citing probable cause for his involvement in promoting violence via social media platforms.
Ekpa, who holds dual Nigerian-Finnish citizenship and is a well-known figure in the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been accused of using social media to incite violence and spread separatist propaganda, actions that have contributed to growing instability in Nigeria’s southeastern region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria confirmed the arrest, with acting spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa issuing a statement explaining the charges Ekpa faces, which include terrorism and promoting violence.
In a further explanation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that Ekpa's arrest was the result of prolonged diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government, which had urged Finnish authorities to address the destabilizing influence of Ekpa and IPOB. The government emphasized its commitment to ensuring that the legal proceedings unfold appropriately, and it will continue to monitor the case closely.
Ekpa’s leadership role within IPOB and his involvement in the declaration of a Biafran government-in-exile in 2022 have made him a significant figure in the secessionist movement. His public statements, particularly on social media, have been accused of intensifying violence, which has resulted in numerous disruptions in the southeast of Nigeria. The Nigerian government’s spokesperson stated that Ekpa’s actions via online platforms had directly contributed to incidents of violence, and investigators had linked him to these events.
The Ministry’s statement further noted, “The ministry wishes to confirm the arrest of Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed IPOB, by Finnish authorities on Thursday, Nov. 21. He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent. The Finnish authorities alleged that Ekpa used social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda, incite violence, and encourage illegal actions, which had caused significant disruptions in the southeast of Nigeria.”
As the legal proceedings progress, the Nigerian government has reaffirmed its dedication to tackling terrorism and ensuring the nation’s stability. The Ministry’s statement concluded by underlining its ongoing efforts to monitor the legal developments related to Ekpa’s case, promising further updates as they become available. The arrest marks a notable step in addressing the threat posed by transnational actors like Ekpa, and the government remains steadfast in its efforts to maintain national security and peace in the region.
