The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has ordered the detention of Simon Ekpa, a prominent Biafra separatist, on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.
According to Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish newspaper, the court’s decision came on Thursday following Ekpa’s arraignment by the Central Criminal Police. The authorities allege that Ekpa’s activities from Finland have incited violence in southeastern Nigeria.
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, who is leading the investigation, stated, “The police suspect that the man has used means, including his social media channels, to promote actions that have resulted in violence against civilians in southeastern Nigeria.”
Hiltunen further revealed that four additional suspects in Finland are believed to have financially supported Ekpa’s operations.
Described as a resident of Lahti, Finland, with Nigerian roots, Ekpa’s alleged offenses span from August 23, 2021, to November 18, 2024, as detailed in court records.
This is not Ekpa’s first encounter with Finnish law enforcement. In February 2023, he was arrested in Lahti but was released the same day.
Ekpa, a vocal advocate for a Biafran nation, has solicited funds and propagated his separatist agenda through the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Both groups have been linked to widespread violence and human rights abuses in Nigeria’s southeastern region.
This development is a significant step in addressing the transnational implications of his activities.
