Photo of Simon Ekpa Being Arrested By Finland Security Officers

 

A photo of Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa being arrested by security officials in Finland has surfaced online.

 

This is as Ekpa was arrested on Thursday.

 

A Finland district court in Lahti on Thursday, ordered the remand of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on probable cause for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria.

 

Ekpa was accused of using social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda linked to IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria.

 

The court alleges that the offences date 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.

 

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.