The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has expressed hope that the Finnish Government will extradite Simon Ekpa to Nigeria to face justice following his recent arrest.
Finnish police detained Ekpa, along with four others, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, over alleged terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
According to Finnish media reports, the Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests and noted that Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent born in the 1980s, is accused of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who is leading the investigation, revealed that Ekpa allegedly used his social media platforms to coordinate violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region.
The other suspects are reportedly being investigated for financing terrorist activities.
Finnish authorities highlighted the importance of international cooperation in advancing the case, with hearings for the suspects scheduled for the same day as the arrest.
Reacting to the development, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, issued a statement on behalf of the CDS. General Musa commended the Finnish authorities for the arrest and expressed optimism that it would pave the way for Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria.
“The CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope that this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice,” the statement read.
Simon Ekpa has gained notoriety for his separatist rhetoric and controversial activities, including calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.
In 2023, he was briefly detained over allegations of fundraising fraud. He is known for his declaration against elections in Biafran territories, stating in a widely circulated video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”
This arrest marks a significant step in addressing the alleged activities of Ekpa and his associates, as Nigeria continues to collaborate with international partners to tackle security challenges.
