November 21, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
A self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) Simon Ekpa,, has been arrested in Finland for alleged terrorist activities.
The BBC reports that Ekpa was subsequently sent to prison by the district court of Päijät-Häme for “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media”.
Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, is accused of committing crimes in 2021 in Lahti municipality, including spreading separatist propaganda on social media.
According to Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Ekpa used his social media channels to promote violence and incite people to commit crimes.
Ekpa had previously directed Igbos not to participate in Nigeria’s 2023 general election and denounced Nigeria, vowing to return the medal he won for the country at the 2003 African Junior Athletics Championships.
This is not Ekpa’s first arrest; he was previously arrested in February 2023 but released after questioning.
The Finnish authorities, in collaboration with the Nigerian Government, have been investigating Ekpa’s activities, which may have contributed to violence in southeast Nigeria.
Ekpa faces charges related to terrorist propaganda and inciting violence. If convicted, he could face serious consequences.
