Kehinde Fajobi
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has expressed hope that separatist leader Simon Ekpa will be extradited to Nigeria to face justice following his arrest by Finnish police on Thursday.
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, was detained alongside four others on suspicion of terrorism-related offences, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.
Finnish police confirmed that the arrests stemmed from an investigation into Ekpa’s alleged role in coordinating violent activities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” Finnish authorities stated.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen disclosed that Ekpa had used social media channels to promote his agenda.
“The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels,” Hiltunen said.
Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Media Operations, conveyed Musa’s reaction to Ekpa’s arrest.
“The CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope that this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice,” Gusau said in a statement.
Ekpa, who gained notoriety for his separatist rhetoric, was previously detained in 2023 on allegations of fundraising fraud.
He has also been linked to threats to disrupt Nigerian elections, declaring in a 2023 social media video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”
Finnish police noted that international collaboration has been vital in their investigation, adding that hearings for the suspects were scheduled for Thursday.