Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, has been arrested in Finland along with four other individuals on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities, including inciting violence and financing terrorism.
According to Finnish news outlet 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 Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, explaining that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
“The detention requests are part of an ongoing investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of inciting others to commit crimes with terrorist intent,” the police said.
Ekpa is accused of orchestrating violent acts against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to promote his separatist agenda.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who is overseeing the investigation, stated, “The man has carried out these activities, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation reported that Ekpa, along with the other suspects—two of whom live in Helsinki—is facing charges related to financing terrorism.
This is not Ekpa’s first brush with Finnish authorities. In 2023, he was briefly detained over allegations of fundraising fraud.
Known for his separatist views, Ekpa has previously called for the disruption of Nigerian elections. In a widely shared video from 2023, he declared, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”
The Finnish police noted that international cooperation has played a key role in the investigation, with hearings for the suspects scheduled for Thursday.