Finland arrests Simon Ekpa, four others over terrorism financing

Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in Finland for involvement in terror-related activities.

Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile, was detained by the Päijät-Häme district court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

In a statement released on Thursday, Finland’s Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests, detailing that Ekpa faces accusations of promoting violence and crimes against civilians and authorities in South-Eastern Nigeria.

The police suspect that his actions, primarily carried out through social media, contributed to the violence.

The four other individuals were arrested on charges of financing the terrorist activities. The court hearing for the suspects is set for November 21.

The investigation, which has involved international cooperation, is ongoing, with Ekpa at the center of the probe. Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police noted that the arrests took place earlier this week, as part of the preliminary investigation.