Enugu State Government Offers Evidence to Finnish Authorities Over Simon Ekpa

The Enugu State Government has made an offer to Finnish authorities, offering to provide “evidence of atrocities” allegedly committed by Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator, in South-east Nigeria. The offer was made through a statement from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chidiebere Onyia, on Friday.

The statement follows the arrest of Ekpa, who was detained alongside four others on Thursday by Finnish police on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities. Finnish authorities have accused Ekpa of contributing to violence and crimes against civilians in the South-east region of Nigeria. Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen, leads a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) called Autopilot. IPOB has been campaigning for the secession of the South-east and parts of the South-south region from Nigeria.

In the statement, Onyia commended Finnish authorities for the arrest, describing Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” with no genuine interest in the well-being of the Igbo people. The Enugu State Government also labeled Ekpa a murderer and fraudster who exploits the misery of his people for personal gain.

The SSG emphasized that Enugu State is ready to provide evidence of Ekpa-sponsored atrocities against Ndigbo to support his trial and conviction, whether in Finland or Nigeria. Onyia expressed confidence that Ekpa’s arrest would help strengthen peace, security, and stability in the South-east, an area that has been plagued by violence linked to the Biafra agitation. He criticized Ekpa for creating a climate of fear and destruction in the region under the guise of fighting for the Biafran cause.