After Arrest in Finland, Military Seeks IPOB Leader’s Extradition for Trial

After Arrest in Finland, Military Seeks IPOB Leader’s Extradition for Trial

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has welcomed the arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and four others in Finland for terror-related activities.

A short statement by Defence Information Director, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said General Musa is pleased with this development.

His words: “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.”

PRNigeria learnt that Ekpa was  sent to prison by the district court of Päijät-Häme for “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media”.

The court alleged that the offences dated back to August 23, 2021.

Finland authorities have also investigated Ekpa in the past for alleged financial crimes, including the collection of funds through questionable means.

Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen, was said to have been indicted for financing terrorism alongside the four other suspects.

The head of the investigation, crime commissioner Otto Hiltunen of the Central Criminal Police, stated, “The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland with means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”

 However, the remaining four suspects, accused of financing terrorism, are believed to have committed the crime in August 2022, also in Lahti.

PRNigeria gathered that five suspects were arrested during the first week of the investigation, with police highlighting international cooperation during the preliminary phase.

By PRNigeria