Panic Among Nigerians in Finland as Hunt for Sponsors Intensifies Following Arrest of Separatist Leader Simon Ekpa

Nigerians in Finland are currently living in fear after the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Sources have reported widespread anxiety among the Nigerian community, particularly the Igbo population, as many are afraid to comment on Ekpa’s arrest for fear of reprisals. Some individuals accused of assisting in his detention are reportedly being threatened by Ekpa’s followers.

A Nigerian community leader, speaking anonymously, expressed concern about the silence in the community, noting that even key figures within the Igbo community have refrained from commenting on the situation. “These people are very deadly,” the source added, highlighting the threats faced by those allegedly linked to the case.

Ekpa, who describes himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was arrested on Thursday along with four others by Finnish authorities. They face charges related to terror activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism. Ekpa, who has a history of inciting violence through social media, had already been arrested in 2023 for encouraging sit-at-home protests and election boycotts in southeastern Nigeria. His activities had sparked international outrage, with Nigerians globally calling for action against him.

The Finnish police confirmed Ekpa’s arrest after an international investigation, with the District Court of Päijät-Häme remanding him on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. However, further details remain classified as the investigation is ongoing.

As the investigation unfolds, Nigerians have begun searching for individuals or groups funding Ekpa’s activities, especially those believed to be supporting him from the United States. Social media users have called for these sponsors to be identified and held accountable. One user even vowed to report any suspected sponsors to the U.S. Department of State.

The arrest of Ekpa has drawn mixed reactions. While the IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, celebrated his detention, claiming it would bring peace to the South-East, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has expressed a more cautious stance, stating that consultations are underway regarding the arrest.

The Nigerian government is closely monitoring the case, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming Ekpa’s detention and stressing the significance of his arrest in addressing the threats posed by IPOB and other transnational actors. The ministry has vowed to continue following the legal proceedings and provide updates.

In the meantime, there are discussions about the possibility of Ekpa being extradited to Nigeria. However, experts caution that this could be a complex process due to the lack of an extradition treaty between Finland and Nigeria. Still, some suggest that multilateral agreements or international law may facilitate his transfer, depending on the diplomatic relations between the two countries.