Simon Ekpa’s Arrest: Nigerian Government Monitors Finnish Probe into Alleged Terrorism Links

|By Adejumo Adekunle-

The Nigerian Government has announced its vigilant monitoring of legal proceedings against Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, following his arrest in Finland on charges of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.

Ekpa was detained on Thursday, November 21, 2024, by Finnish authorities, with the Päijät-Häme District Court ruling to keep him in custody on probable cause. He is accused of leveraging social media to incite violence in southeastern Nigeria, a region plagued by unrest linked to the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement on Friday, Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated the government’s commitment to tracking the case’s progress. The statement emphasized the importance of addressing the influence of IPOB and other transnational actors on Nigeria’s national security.

The Nigerian Government, which had previously urged Finland to act against Ekpa’s activities, welcomed his arrest as a significant step toward accountability. Authorities believe Ekpa’s rhetoric and actions have fueled violent incidents in the South-East, undermining peace and stability.

As the legal process unfolds, the government has pledged to keep the public informed, stressing the necessity of holding Ekpa accountable under Finnish law for his role in Nigeria’s unrest. This case marks a critical intersection of international cooperation and the fight against extremism threatening Nigeria’s sovereignty.