Nigerians in Finland are in a state of panic following the arrest of separatist leader Simon Ekpa. Ekpa, a self-imposed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafran Government in Exile, was arrested alongside four others on Thursday by Finnish authorities on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.

The arrest has sparked fear among Nigerians in Finland, with many afraid to comment on the issue for fear of being attacked. A Nigerian community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the Igbo community was “gravely affected” by the violent acts of the secessionist group.

Leaving Mr Ekpa as orphan, the spokesman for IPOB, Emma Powerful, said people in the South-East were happy with Ekpa’s arrest, adding that he had been responsible for the many travails in the region. “There was no rest; people could not sleep with two eyes closed, people cannot go to another village for visitation because of what he is doing with his criminal gang.”

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation acted on reports by detaining Ekpa and later releasing him. The Finnish police also confirmed that Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, and four of his accomplices were arrested as part of an international investigation.

The District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered Ekpa’s remand in prison, “with probable cause on suspicion of publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.” The police stated that the main suspect, Ekpa, was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while four unnamed accomplices were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime.”

The Nigerian government has welcomed Ekpa’s arrest, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying it would continue to track the progress of his case. The ministry also emphasized the importance of addressing the influence of IPOB and transnational actors on the country’s national security.

The arrest has also sparked a search for Ekpa’s sponsors, with many calling for those who have been financing his activities to be held accountable. Nigeria is seeking the extradition of Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, who was arrested in Finland on terrorism charges.

Ekpa is accused of using social media to instigate violence in south-east Nigeria, where he has a sizable following. He claims to lead a faction in exile of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), a group fighting for a breakaway state in south-eastern Nigeria.

The Nigerian authorities want Ekpa to “face justice” in Nigeria, where he has been accused of inciting violence and terrorism. Ekpa has denied any links to the current killings and violence in Nigeria’s south-east.

The Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa after he threatened to disrupt Nigeria’s 2023 general election, but he was released after a brief interrogation. The Nigerian army has lauded Ekpa’s arrest, describing it as a “key victory” in the fight against terrorism.

The army chief, Christopher Musa, expressed happiness over Ekpa’s arrest, hoping it would lead to his extradition to Nigeria to face justice. Ekpa’s arrest has sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians expressing relief and others criticizing the Finnish authorities for not taking action sooner.

The incident has also raised concerns about the role of social media in instigating violence and the need for international cooperation in combating terrorism. Ekpa’s rise to prominence began in 2021 when he announced on his Facebook page that IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu had ordered him to assume the role of broadcaster on the group’s radio station, Radio Biafra.

Kanu has been in custody since 2021 when he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria for trial. Ipob was formed in 2012 as a peaceful movement, but launched an armed wing in 2020, saying it was doing so to defend the Igbo ethnic group.

However, critics say it has unleashed violence that has caused huge suffering. A Nigerian court has designated Ipob a “terrorist” organisation. The Nigerian government has been criticized for its handling of the situation in the south-east, with many accusing the authorities of using excessive force against Ipob members and other separatist groups.

The government has denied these allegations, saying it is committed to maintaining law and order in the region.

Ekpa’s arrest has sparked a debate about the role of social media in instigating violence and the need for international cooperation in combating terrorism.

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