Finnish authorities have detained Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator, along with four others over allegations of involvement in terrorist activities.

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Ekpa is suspected of public exhortation to commit an offence with terrorist intent, while the other suspects face charges of financing terrorism. A police statement on Thursday detailed the allegations without naming Ekpa directly, but local Finnish media, including Helsingin Sanomat, identified him in their reports.

The statement revealed that a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria born in the 1980s had allegedly encouraged violence against civilians and public officials in Nigeria’s South-East through his social media campaigns. “These actions have led to violence and other crimes in South-East Nigeria,” said Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen.

Ekpa and his alleged accomplices were apprehended earlier in the week. Authorities confirmed that the arrests were made possible through international collaboration.

This marks Ekpa’s second arrest in Finland. In February 2023, days before Nigeria’s general elections, Finnish police detained him for threatening that the elections would not hold in the South-East.

Ekpa, who identifies as the “Prime Minister of Biafra,” has been a vocal advocate for sit-at-home protests in Nigeria’s South-East to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). However, IPOB has publicly distanced itself from his activities.

In August 2024, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, disclosed in Abuja that the Finnish government was addressing Ekpa’s case, which had been brought to its attention by the Nigerian government. The case is currently before Finnish courts.