Finnish Authorities Detain Simon Ekpa and Four Others for Alleged Terrorism Links

Simon Ekpa, who identifies as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), has been taken into custody in Finland on accusations tied to terrorist activities.

Reports from local Finnish outlets indicate that the Päijät-Häme District Court has ordered Ekpa’s detention based on probable cause concerning his public promotion of actions aimed at inciting violence with terrorist intent.

The court asserts that Ekpa has been disseminating separatist propaganda through social media channels.

The incidents in question reportedly took place on August 23, 2021, in Lahti, Finland.

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also pursuing the detention of four other individuals under similar terrorism-related allegations.

Ekpa, who has affiliated himself with Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in various municipal capacities, is currently a member of Lahti’s public transport committee. He is also recognized for leading a separatist movement in Nigeria that seeks to establish an independent state of Biafra in the southeastern region of the country.

As a Finnish-Nigerian leader advocating for Biafra, Ekpa faces scrutiny for allegedly using his influence to incite violence against both civilians and governmental authorities in southeastern Nigeria. Authorities suspect he has orchestrated these activities from Finland, utilizing social media to encourage harmful actions. His self-proclaimed title as “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile has raised alarms about his potential role in exacerbating unrest in the area.

“This activity has been carried out, among other means, via social media channels,” said Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen in a statement.

The NBI’s investigation focuses on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian heritage, born in the 1980s, who is thought to be inciting public criminal acts with a terrorist agenda. Additionally, four other individuals are suspected of financing these terrorism-related activities. All five suspects were detained earlier this week.

While Ekpa resides in Lahti, two other suspects have addresses in Helsinki, and one individual does not have a registered address in Finland.

Ekpa has a history of previous legal troubles; in 2023, he was briefly detained by Finnish law enforcement on allegations of fundraising fraud, though he was released the same night.

His separatist advocacy has garnered international attention, particularly for his calls to boycott upcoming Nigerian elections.

“No elections will take place! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory in 2023,” he proclaimed in a social media video.

He has also openly endorsed the use of violence, stating, “I support violence against Nigerian government forces. This is self-defense. They constantly attack us and have committed numerous war crimes. We have no choice but to defend ourselves.”

NCP Secretary Timo Elo refrained from commenting on Ekpa’s potential party membership but noted that suspicion of terrorism offenses could result in expulsion from the party. Elo emphasized that membership information is confidential, adding that local assessments should determine the implications of Ekpa’s role on the public transport committee.