• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
  • E-Book
Home General Finnish Detains Simon Ekpa of IPOB Over Terrorism Charges Linked to Biafra...
  • General

Finnish Detains Simon Ekpa of IPOB Over Terrorism Charges Linked to Biafra Agitation

By
Prnigeria
-
November 21, 2024

Finnish Detains Simon Ekpa of IPOB Over Terrorism Charges Linked to Biafra Agitation

Simon Ekpa, a member of the National Coalition Party (NCP) in Finland and a representative on Lahti’s public transport committee, has gained notoriety as a prominent figure in a separatist movement advocating for an independent Biafran state in Nigeria.

On Thursday, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland conducted a hearing concerning five individuals suspected of terrorist offenses, including Ekpa, a local politician from Lahti.

The court has detained Ekpa on probable cause for incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, related to alleged activities on August 23, 2021, in Lahti.

According to YLE News, the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also pursuing the detention of four additional suspects on terrorism-related charges.

Ekpa, who holds dual Finnish-Nigerian citizenship, is accused of utilizing his leadership role within the Nigerian separatist movement to incite violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria. The NBI contends that these actions were coordinated from Finland, including through Ekpa’s social media platforms.

“This activity has been carried out through various means, including social media channels,” stated Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen.

Read Also:

  • Tijani, Sanwo-Olu, Bella Disu, Others to Headline 10th Nigeria Digital PR Summit
  • Third Estate Warns Against Spreading Insecurity in Kwara, Calls for United Action and Prayer
  • Anambra Police Deploy 70 Fresh Constables to Boost Security

The NBI’s investigation is focused on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, who is suspected of publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent, alongside four others suspected of financing terrorism. All five individuals were apprehended earlier this week.

Among the suspects, Ekpa resides in the Lahti area, while two others have addresses in Helsinki. One suspect is unregistered in Finland.

A History of Controversy

Ekpa has faced legal challenges in the past, including a 2023 incident where he was arrested on suspicion of fundraising fraud, although he was released the same evening.

His separatist activism has garnered international attention, particularly for his calls to boycott Nigerian elections. “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory in 2023,” he proclaimed in a social media video.

Furthermore, Ekpa has openly justified the use of violence against Nigerian government forces, claiming, “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.”

Party Response

NCP Secretary Timo Elo refrained from commenting on whether Ekpa is still a party member. “We never disclose who is or isn’t our member. That is confidential information,” Elo stated.

However, he indicated that if any party member were suspected of terrorism-related offenses, it would likely lead to their expulsion from the party. Elo noted that Ekpa’s role on the public transport committee should be evaluated at the local level.

By PRNigeria

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Biafra
  • Finnish Government
  • Simon Ekpa
Previous articleCounter-terrorism: UN Applauds Nigeria’s Strategic Approach
Next articleReps Reject Six-Year Single Tenure for President and Governors
Prnigeria
Prnigeria

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Atiku Abubakar

Atiku Criticises DSS, Demands Probe of Tinubu Cabinet Following Minister’s Resignation

MAAUN Public Health Students Host Seminar to Combat Drug Abuse and Preventable Diseases

Students that participated in FutureMap STEAM Camp in Jigawa

FutureMap Graduates Over 1,000 Students from STEAM Camp in Jigawa

Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji

Finally, Tinubu’s Embattled Minister Resigns Amid Certificate Scandal

INEC boss Mahmood Yakubu

Tinubu Confers National Honour on Outgoing INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu

Troops Repel Terrorists Attacks in Borno, Launch Rescue Operation for Abducted Villagers

PIP Foundation graduates 250 Gombe Youths in Tech, Entrepreneurship

Pantami Foundation Graduates 250 Gombe Youths in Tech, Entrepreneurship

Tinubu Orders NAHCON to Reduce 2026 Hajj Fares

Influencer that badmouthed Senator Shehu Buba

Security Operatives Nab Influencers Over Defamatory Campaign Against Senator Shehu Buba

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani

Uba Sani Releases ₦2.3bn for Retirees and Families of Deceased Workers

Hajj Exercise Around Ka'abah

Group Urges CBN to Scrap 2% Service Charge on Hajj Fare to Reduce Pilgrimage Cost

Kano Gov’t Investigates Alleged Diversion of N4bn Dala Inland Dry Port Funds

Recent Posts

  • Tijani, Sanwo-Olu, Bella Disu, Others to Headline 10th Nigeria Digital PR Summit
  • Third Estate Warns Against Spreading Insecurity in Kwara, Calls for United Action and Prayer
  • Anambra Police Deploy 70 Fresh Constables to Boost Security
  • ICPC to Prosecute Self-Acclaimed Kano Journalist for Alleged ₦14 Million Fraud
  • Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello’ s Fund Withdrawals Did Not Breach Banking Regulations, EFCC Witness Tells FCT Court
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Tijani, Sanwo-Olu, Bella Disu, Others to Headline 10th Nigeria Digital PR SummitThird Estate Warns Against Spreading Insecurity in Kwara, Calls for United Action and PrayerAnambra Police Deploy 70 Fresh Constables to Boost SecurityICPC to Prosecute Self-Acclaimed Kano Journalist for Alleged ₦14 Million FraudEx-Gov Yahaya Bello' s Fund Withdrawals Did Not Breach Banking Regulations, EFCC Witness Tells FCT CourtAtiku Criticises DSS, Demands Probe of Tinubu Cabinet Following Minister's ResignationTinubu: Shuttle Diplomacy and the Power of Showing UpMAAUN Public Health Students Host Seminar to Combat Drug Abuse and Preventable DiseasesFutureMap Graduates Over 1,000 Students from STEAM Camp in JigawaFinally, Tinubu's Embattled Minister Resigns Amid Certificate ScandalTinubu Confers National Honour on Outgoing INEC Chairman Mahmood YakubuArmy Partners Media to Tackle Fake News, Boost National SecurityBadaru Hails NAF’s Vision, Commissions New Headquarters Annex in AbujaJUST IN: INEC Boss Prof. Yakubu Hands Over Leadership to Acting ChairTroops Repel Terrorists Attacks in Borno, Launch Rescue Operation for Abducted Villagers
X whatsapp