Finnish Police Detain Simon Ekpa in Connection with Deadly Violence in Southeastern Nigeria

…Launch Investigation Into Biafran Separatist Activities

Authorities in Finland have detained five suspects as part of an investigation into deadly violence in southeastern Nigeria.

The suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed, include a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen born in the 1980s, currently under criminal investigation.

Finnish police are seeking an extension of their detentions from the Päijät-Häme District Court.

Among the key figures linked to the investigation is Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian national and resident of Lahti, Finland.

Ekpa is a prominent leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group advocating for an independent Biafra state from Nigeria’s southeastern region.

IPOB’s campaign traces its roots to the 1960s Biafran secessionist movement, which led to a brutal civil war from 1967 to 1970, resulting in the deaths of an estimated one million people, many due to starvation.

Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation revealed that the suspect under scrutiny is accused of orchestrating activities from Finland that have incited violence in southeastern Nigeria.

“The police suspect that the man has furthered his efforts from Finland in such a way that has resulted in violence against civilians and public authorities, and in other crimes in South-East Nigeria,” Hiltunen said in a statement.

Hiltunen added that the suspect allegedly utilised social media platforms to carry out these activities, campaigning for his cause and encouraging acts of violence among his followers.

Nigerian authorities have previously accused Ekpa of using social media to incite unrest and recruit young people for violent actions in the region.

The Finnish investigation highlights international cooperation, with law enforcement agencies in both Finland and Nigeria collaborating on the case.

As of now, Nigerian authorities have yet to issue an official comment on the matter.

The development sheds light on the transnational dimension of separatist movements and the role of technology in fuelling conflicts.

The Päijät-Häme District Court will deliberate on the Finnish police’s request to extend the suspects’ detentions, marking a critical step in the ongoing investigation.

Source: Washington Post