Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian Biafra agitator has been arrested in Finland alongside four others for alleged terror-related offenses.
According to ocal reports the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five individuals suspected of terrorist activities in a statement on Thursday.
The police said Ekpa, identified as the main suspect, was detained “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while the four others were apprehended “for financing a terrorist crime.”
The police statement further said, “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”
It added that the investigation centers on “a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, head of the investigation, stated: “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The four other suspects are accused of financing the activities under investigation. “All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week,” the statement confirmed, adding that international cooperation has been integral to the preliminary investigation.
The Nigerian govt had sought the arrest of Mr. Ekpa, following his alleged involvement in the Sit-At-Home that has relatively crippled economic activities in the Southeast.
cpcnews.org 