NewStats: 3,262,762 , 8,178,077 topics. Date: Tuesday, 03 June 2025 at 01:40 PM 725712

Some Nigerians in Finland are in panic following the arrest and detention of separatist leader, Simon Ekpa.

Ekpa is one of the leaders of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.

According to sources, Nigerians in the European country are afraid of commenting on the arrest of the suspect over fear of being attacked.

A Nigerian community leader, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, noted that the Igbo community was “gravely affected” by the violent acts of the secessionist group.

He said, “Everyone is afraid to speak about Ekpa’s arrest. The key people in Finland and the Igbo community at large are not ready to lend their voices either.”

The source noted that some persons were being accused of reporting Ekpa to the police and were being threatened.

“A particular person they accused now, they’re after him. This happened before he (Ekpa) was even remanded—what will happen when they imprison him? Everyone is afraid. These people are very deadly,” the source said.

Another resident, who also asked not to be identified, said there was tension among Nigerians in the country.

“People don’t want to speak about Ekpa for fear of being hunted by his followers. We believe that they will hunt whoever comes out to talk about their leader. But the Finnish Government is trying to get rid of the situation.”

Ekpa’s arrest

Ekpa was arrested alongside four others on Thursday by Finnish authorities on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.

Checks by Saturday PUNCH revealed that his X handle (@simon_ekpa) had been inactive for four days.

Ekpa, who describes himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is accused of using social media to promote violent activities in southeastern Nigeria, including attacks on civilians and the authorities.

He was first arrested in February 2023 for inciting comments and sit-at-home orders to the people of the South-East.

The suspect gained international notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which were enforced through violent means, contributing to attacks on residents.

Before his arrest, Ekpa had attracted global attention, with thousands of Nigerians worldwide petitioning the Finnish and Nigerian governments, as well as the European Union, to take action against his disruptive activities.

In response, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, urging Finland to cooperate in addressing Ekpa’s threats.

A local publication in Finland, Yle noted that the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation acted on the 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.

A report stated that the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered Ekpa’s remand in prison, “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime 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.”

A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed via email to Saturday PUNCH that further details about the suspects couldn’t be disclosed.

Laaksonen explained that “NBI Finland cannot confirm the name of the suspect(s). The proceedings in the district court and contents of the decisions are classified at this point of the investigation,” adding, “The Ministry of Justice is the competent authority regarding extraditions.”

Hunt for sponsors

Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have begun to search for suspected sponsors of the suspect, particularly those financing his alleged terror activities from the United States.

An X , @Burmese_Tyga_, stated that those sponsoring him should be identified and brought to book.

He said, “If Simon Ekpa is indicted for terrorism in Finland and you know anybody in the US who has donated to him, pls forward name and address to me. I’ll make a comprehensive list I’m sending to the Department of State as sponsors of terrorism.

“Someone has to pay for the lives wasted and blood spilled in Igbo land. Destroying your lives here in the US is the least we can do.”

Several names were thrown up under the tweet, as some of those identified denied having any relationship with him.

But a , @MaaziFaisal, said the Finnish Government might check his financial flow.

“And those in Diaspora and at home funding his terrorism act will be brought to book,” he added.

Detention excites IPOB, MASSOB indifferent

The spokesman for IPOB, Emma Powerful, said people in the South-East were happy with the arrest of the suspect, adding that he had been responsible for the many travails in the region.

He said, “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.

“Except the politicians that are ing him that will not be happy with what is happening to him. Now he has said that he is not a prime minister of Biafra and that he is an ordinary member. He is not our member.

“If they (government) feel that they can extradite him, better. If they feel like bringing him for trial in Nigeria, it is okay. But they know those sponsoring him.”

But the spokesperson for the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, Samuel Edeson, said the group had commenced consultation on Ekpa’s arrest.

Edeson said, “We are still studying the events and circumstances surrounding the arrest. We will consult other groups and do the needful when we are done.”

Nigeria monitors situation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Nigerian government would continue to track the progress of Ekpa’s case, emphasising the importance of addressing the influence of IPOB and transnational actors on the country’s national security.

The spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the arrest of Ekpa on Thursday.

“He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.

“The ministry wishes to affirm that the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB and neutralising the influence of transnational actors on our national security. The ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” the statement said.

Extradition process

The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, on Thursday, suggested that Ekpa, who is the leader of the Eastern Security Network, the paramilitary wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, would be extradited to Nigeria to face criminal charges.

However, experts have expressed concerns about the challenges involved in the process, highlighting significant legal and diplomatic hurdles.

Some argue that Finland and Nigeria do not have an extradition treaty, which may create a problem for Ekpa to face charges for the alleged crime in Nigeria.

However, a former Nigerian envoy, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said the decision to extradite would ultimately depend on the nature of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

He said even in the absence of a direct extradition treaty, multilateral agreements could play a role.

“It is possible that countries may extradite individuals based on multilateral agreements, even if there is no direct treaty between them,” he added.

He also highlighted the role of international law, noting that as a sovereign nation, Nigeria’s interests would be protected under the United Nations framework.

“No member of the United Nations would actions that threaten the sovereignty of another member nation unless there is a direct bilateral dispute,” Farounbi added.

The ex-envoy also emphasised that Finland would follow due process and the rule of law in any extradition decision, and that the court’s ruling would be based on Finland’s legal framework, not Nigeria’s.

“If Simon Ekpa’s actions are deemed to threaten Finland’s diplomatic interests, the court could rule against extradition based on Finnish law,” he said.

https://punchng.com/simon-ekpa-nigerians-in-finland-panic-as-search-for-sponsors-begins/?amp

Several names were thrown up under the tweet, as some of those identified denied having any relationship with him.

Coward people
They will never take responsibility for their actions

Not only Finland, all those people in the UK and USA that were sponsoring Simon Ekpa should also be apprehended.

Any igbo man or woman who is against this move is an enemy of igbo land.

How can you be in far away Finland, UK, US, etc then sponsor terrorists back home to kill your own people. You're living in peace and working freely but want your own people to sit at home and live in fear.

Toh..

This movie go long 24hours o..

The spokesman for IPOB, Emma Powerful, said people in the South-East were happy with the arrest of the suspect, adding that he had been responsible for the many travails in the region.

He said, “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.

Smh. Just take a look at what a single soul is doing to his people. Agulu cowardice nah raise to power 10..

Lol....no be small panic

I'm much confident that most ers of Simon Ekpa's quest for a sovereign Biafra state aren't even based in Finland. Why panic over seeking self independence when the clownish system they're part of isn't working? This isn't Ekpa's first arrest by Finnish government; he was detained last year and released. I predict he'll be freed again before next week. The Finnish government is fair and just, unlike what you'd find in a zoo government

I may not like Ekpa's Approach, but I sha give it to him for the guts he has. But the most important thing is that, whether it takes 50years or 100 years, so far these people are not giving up in the quest for their nation, Biafra will sure be a reality.

Failure truly has no friends and family

Simon Ekpa fowl don finally lay cooked eggs for am without him knowing.

If you’re Igbo don’t credit any freedom fighters’

If they are successfully classified as terrorists you could be liable for sponsoring or terrorism


It involves you being on a no-fly-list and inability to enter several countries, do business internationally or open s abroad. You think it’s a joke like Ekpa or Nnamdi Kanu until you sit alone in a cell that is 4 by 4 for several years while the world moves on.

Toh

We go start compiling his online sympathizers on NL as well

helinues:
Toh

We go start compiling his online sympathizers on NL as well

Gidgiddy and madamvanessa should be arrested too

Peterobiisathie:
Gidgiddy and madamvanessa should be arrested too

They will deny too. Haven't you been seeing gidgiddy claiming Ekpa is not an Ipob member even for the fact that he initially bragged that FG can't arrest him in Finland.

Weather dey learn from some of those people dey

.

helinues:


They will deny too. Haven't you been seeing gidgiddy claiming Ekpa is not an Ipob member even for the fact that he initially bragged that FG can't arrest him in Finland.

Weather dey learn from some of those people dey

Fg arrest him in Finland,,,,,are you an mpkurumilli addict!

Eboofa:



Fg arrest him in Finland,,,,,are you an mpkurumilli addict!

Ugona, can you now rest?

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/8274626/simon-ekpas-arrest-followed-diplomatic#132990261

The sponsors of this criminal should be exposed and prosecuted too.

May God bless Nigeria for ever!

Ekpa is a terrorist and he will face the full wrath of the law.

Let the search continue.

Those who have been sponsoring his online mischief must be held responsible for their actions

Good one from the Finland police, All BIAFRA TERRORISTS must be dealing with, they should come to nairaland, a lot of their sponsor are here. Other regions in the country should do same because some Biafra sleeper agents are among them disguised as doing business.

Boko haram financiers and sponsors that UAE gave you APC goons their full list of names since 4 years ago today what did you do with it?

You people hid the list and killed the case, but it's now you you want to catch sponsors simply because it's concerning the igbos and their Biafra matter

Separatist should Carry out their goal peaceful not inciting motion that would affect their own people adversely e.g seat at home order only affects the supposed ppl he is fighting for how does dat make sense.

Where is that Gidgiddy sef? Probably in detention as we speak. Lol.

We are going to compile the monicas of their sympathizers here on nairaland. Their IP can be used to trace them.

If they are not coward, they should come out

FourQu:
Boko haram financiers and sponsors that UAE gave you APC goons their full list of names since 4 years ago today what did you do with it?

You people hid the list and killed the case, but it's now you you want to catch sponsors simply because it's concerning the igbos and their Biafra matter

One sympathizer identified.

The list has started.

1. FourQu
2.

Cowards do what cowards do.

Panic as Simon Ekpa to make a surprise appearance before the end of the month

[keep up with your hallucinations quote author=Edygrin post=132995794]Not only Finland, all those people in the UK and USA that were sponsoring Simon Ekpa should also be apprehended.

Any igbo man or woman who is against this move is an enemy of igbo land.

How can you be in far away Finland, UK, US, etc then sponsor terrorists back home to kill your own people. You're living in peace and working freely but want your own people to sit at home and live in fear. [/quote]

Yankee101:
If you’re Igbo don’t credit any freedom fighters

If they are successfully classified as terrorists you could be liable for sponsoring or terrorism


It involves you being on a no-fly-list and inability to enter several countries, do business internationally or open s abroad. You think it’s a joke like Ekpa or Nnamdi Kanu until you sit alone in a cell that is 4 by 4 for several years while the world moves on.

I so much like the emboldened. Very succinct.

As much as Ekpa is a nasty clown and deserves whatever comes for him, this is just plain bullshit. There is no real search for any sponsor. This is just to sell papers with the trend. It would have been great if sponsors can be revealed but this pure bullshit.

olaolaking:


One sympathizer identified.

The list has started.

1. FourQu
2. madamvanessa
3.Gidgiddy

Peterobiisathie:


https://punchng.com/simon-ekpa-nigerians-in-finland-panic-as-search-for-sponsors-begins/?amp

Tension among Igbo not Nigerians.

Ekpa go soon dey sing penitentiary blues.

Eboofa:



Fg arrest him in Finland,,,,,are you an mpkurumilli addict!

una go dey say nonsense with confidence ...why Finland gvt go arrest am if FG is not involved ...

Btw

SE leaders: we don't know him, Simon Ekpa has nothing to do with our movement

Meanwhile,
SE ppl on the street/social media after every Ekpa atrocity : Son of the soil, ka Chukwu gozie gi, lets kill them all , they must know the Igbo tribe is not to be joke with, we are with u!😹