Finnish-Nigerian separatist Simon Ekpa, along with four others, has been detained in Finland on charges linked to terrorism.
According to a Finnish news report, Ekpa, who identifies as the “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, was taken into custody by the Päijät-Häme district court, facing allegations of inciting crimes with terrorist motives.
On Thursday, Finland’s Central Criminal Police announced on its website that five individuals were arrested on suspicion of terrorist activities.
The main suspect, identified as Ekpa, was detained for allegedly encouraging public acts of violence with terrorist intentions, while the other four face charges related to funding terrorist activities.
The Finnish police revealed that Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin born in the 1980s, is suspected of using his influence from Finland to promote violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria.
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, leading the investigation, noted that Ekpa’s actions have reportedly involved social media as a platform for incitement.
The statement indicated that all five suspects were arrested earlier in the week and that the investigation has included international collaboration.