Finnish-Nigerian separatist chief Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland alongside 4 others on suspicion of terror-related actions, together with incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
Based on native publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Courtroom on fees of public incitement to commit a criminal offense with terrorist intent.
The publication reported that the Finnish Central Prison Police confirmed the arrests in an announcement on Thursday, noting that the opposite suspects had been apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist actions.
“The detention calls for are associated to a preliminary investigation by which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born within the Nineteen Eighties, is suspected of public incitement to commit a criminal offense with terrorist intent,” the police stated.
Ekpa is accused of coordinating violent actions in opposition to civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East area from Finland, utilizing social media platforms to additional his agenda.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who leads the investigation, revealed, “The person has carried out this exercise, amongst different issues, on his social media channels.”
The Finnish Nationwide Bureau of Investigation disclosed that Ekpa, alongside the opposite suspects, two of whom reside in Helsinki, faces fees of financing terrorism.
This isn’t the primary time Ekpa has encountered Finnish authorities. In 2023, he was briefly detained on allegations of fundraising fraud.
Ekpa has additionally gained notoriety for his separatist rhetoric, notably his calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.
In 2023, he declared in a extensively circulated social media video, “No elections shall be held! Nigerian elections is not going to be allowed in Biafran territory.”
Finnish police acknowledged that worldwide cooperation has been essential to the continuing investigation, with hearings for the suspects scheduled for Thursday.