Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been arrested in Finland on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda.
According to a report by the BBC, Ekpa was sentenced to prison by the Päijät-Häme district court for his alleged activities, which date back to 2021 in Lahti municipality. Finnish authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), have accused Ekpa of using social media to incite violence in southeastern Nigeria.
Details of the Arrest
- Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, has claimed leadership of IPOB since Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration.
- Finnish police stated that his online activities have contributed to unrest in Nigeria, particularly through violent rhetoric.
- Otto Hiltunen, detective chief inspector of the NBI, noted, “He carries out these activities from his social media channels.”
- Four other men were also arrested by Finnish authorities on related terrorist charges.
History of Controversy
- In February 2023, Ekpa was briefly detained and questioned by Finnish police before being released.
- He gained notoriety for urging Igbos to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections via his social media platforms.
- Ekpa has also denounced Nigeria, pledging to return a medal he won for the country at the 2003 African Junior Athletics Championships.
Implications
Ekpa’s arrest is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address IPOB-related violence in Nigeria. It underscores the reach of international law enforcement in tackling the misuse of digital platforms to propagate unrest.
Finnish authorities continue to investigate the broader implications of his actions, highlighting the global nature of such issues in an increasingly interconnected world.
