Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, has been arrested in Finland alongside four other individuals for alleged terror-related offenses.
Local reports indicate that Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 21, the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five individuals suspected of terrorist activities.
The four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime,” while Simon Ekpa, the primary suspect, was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” according to the police.
“Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21,” the police statement further said.
“A Finnish citizen of Nigerian heritage, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent” is the focus of the inquiry, it explained. The police believe that the individual has used tactics from Finland to further his activities, which have resulted in crimes in the South-Eastern Nigeria region, including violence against officials and citizens.
The investigation’s lead investigator, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, said: “The man has engaged in this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The four other suspects are charged with funding the investigation’s actions. According to the statement, “all five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week,” and the preliminary inquiry has benefited greatly from international cooperation
