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Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish separatist advocate, has been detained by Finnish authorities on charges of inciting terrorism, as ordered by the Päijät-Häme District Court.
The authorities accuse him of using his platform in Finland to incite violence in Nigeria’s southeastern region, largely through social media campaigns.
Finnish law enforcement claims that his activities have contributed to widespread unrest and civilian harm in the region.
Otto Hiltunen, the lead investigator, stated that Ekpa’s efforts have exacerbated the conflict in southeastern Nigeria, with much of the incitement taking place online.
However, the Investigators are also probing the involvement of four other individuals in Finland, believed to be providing financial support for Ekpa’s operations.
The investigation spans a period from August 2021 to November 2024, during which Ekpa allegedly promoted violence related to the Biafran separatist movement.
Ekpa, a vocal advocate for the Biafran separatist movement has strong ties to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), both of which have been blamed for violence in Nigeria’s southeastern states.
Ekpa’s legal troubles are not new.
In February 2023, Finnish authorities arrested him in Lahti, only to release him on the same day. His earlier arrests in 2022 were connected to allegations of inciting violence through broadcasts on Radio Biafra and social media.
Despite these legal challenges, Ekpa has continued to advocate for a breakaway Biafran state, soliciting funds and mobilizing support online.
