Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.

According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

The publication reported that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, noting that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.

“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said.

Ekpa is accused of coordinating violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to further his agenda.

Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who leads the investigation, revealed, “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation disclosed that Ekpa, alongside the other suspects, two of whom reside in Helsinki, faces charges of financing terrorism.

This is not the first time Ekpa has encountered Finnish authorities. In 2023, he was briefly detained on allegations of fundraising fraud.

Ekpa has also gained notoriety for his separatist rhetoric, particularly his calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.

In 2023, he declared in a widely circulated social media video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”

Finnish police stated that international cooperation has been crucial to the ongoing investigation, with hearings for the suspects scheduled for Thursday.

PUNCH