FG Confirms Arrest Of Simon Ekpa, IPOB Leader In Finland On Charges Of Inciting Terrorism, Violence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday confirmed 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 account of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.

The Federal Government noted that the arrest of Mr. Simon Ekpa, is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralizing the influence of transnational actors and their impact on the country's national security.

The Ministry gave the confirmation in a statement by its Acting Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, saying that the Finnish authorities alleged that Mr. Ekpa used social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal actions, which had caused significant disruptions in the South-East of Nigeria.

The statement reads in parts: '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, 21 November 2024. He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Paijat-Hame ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.

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'The Finnish authorities alleged that Mr. Ekpa used social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal actions, which had caused significant disruptions in the South-East of Nigeria. Finnish investigators had also linked him to incidents of violence in Nigeria, which were believed to had been fueled by his online activities.

'The arrest of Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa follows sustained diplomatic pressure by the Nigerian government on Finland, to take action against his activities, which were linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria. The request for action featured during high level engagements between countries.

'The Ministry wishes to affirm that the arrest of Mr. Simon Ekpa, is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralizing the influence of transnational actors and their impact on our national security.

'The Ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses.'