The Nigerian Government on Friday linked the arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile, to sustained diplomatic pressure on Finland. Ekpa, along with four others, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of terrorist activities.
The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme has ordered his detention, citing his alleged involvement in inciting violence through social media.
The Nigerian government confirmed it is closely monitoring Ekpa’s legal proceedings. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to confirm the arrest of Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21, 2024,” stated Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Ministry’s spokesperson.
The Ministry emphasized the case’s significance in addressing IPOB’s influence and the role of transnational actors in Nigeria’s security. “He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence,” the statement read.
It further affirmed that Ekpa’s arrest was a key step in neutralizing IPOB’s activities and vowed to continue monitoring the legal proceedings, providing updates as the case progresses.
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