Finnish authorities have arrested Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian activist and leader of the Biafra separatist movement, along with four others on charges of terrorism-related offenses. Ekpa, who describes himself as the “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, is accused of inciting terrorist acts through propaganda, primarily on social media platforms.
His messages allegedly fueled violence in southeastern Nigeria, where Biafra separatists have been pushing for independence. The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland has remanded Ekpa in custody pending further investigations .
The four others arrested are suspected of funding terrorism, with authorities linking their financial activities to Ekpa’s separatist agenda. Finnish police emphasized that their investigation is part of broader international cooperation, highlighting the global implications of Ekpa’s activities. This is not the first controversy surrounding Ekpa, who was previously detained in 2023 for illegal fundraising but was released shortly afterward .
Authorities in Nigeria have long accused Ekpa of orchestrating unrest in the country while operating from abroad. His activities, which include promoting violent separatist ideologies, are believed to have worsened security conditions in southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities are now examining how his operations may have breached both national and international laws .
The arrests underscore the challenges of addressing separatist movements with global reach. Activists like Ekpa exploit digital platforms to amplify their influence, often creating security crises in their home countries while residing in nations with different legal frameworks. Finnish authorities have stated that this investigation could take years, reflecting the complexity of untangling the financial and operational networks associated with the charges .
