The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the arrest of a Nigerian-Finnish citizen Simon Ekpa by Finnish authorities on Thursday.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the acting spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kimiebi Ebienfa revealed that Mr Ekpa faces charges of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
Ekpa declared the activation of a Biafra Government in Exile in 2022 and proclaimed himself its prime minister in 2023.
“The ministry wishes to confirm the arrest of Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed IPOB, by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21,” the statement read.
“He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.”
The Finnish authorities allege that Ekpa used social media platforms to disseminate separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal activities, which significantly disrupted the south-east region of Nigeria. Investigators also linked his online activities to violent incidents in Nigeria.
The statement further explained that Ekpa’s arrest followed sustained diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government, urging Finland to address his activities tied to violence and instability in Nigeria’s south-east. The issue was reportedly raised during high-level bilateral engagements between the two nations.
The ministry described Ekpa’s arrest as a critical step in countering IPOB’s activities and curbing the influence of transnational actors on Nigeria’s national security.