Finish authorities arrest Ipob spokesman Simon Ekpa at the behest of the Nigerian government

INDIGENOUS People of Biafra (Ipob) spokesman Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland by the local security services at the behest of the Nigerian government who have accused him of being an international terrorist.

On July 10 2021, Mr Ekpa was named as the new head of Radio Biafra with a mandate to produce the daily broadcasts with call for the creation of an independent nation of Biafra. Since then, he has stepped up calls for Ndigbo to observe sit-at-home orders across the southeast on Mondays, leading to a clash with Ohanaeze.

Mr Ekpa, who holds a PhD degree in law, is a human rights activist and a legal researcher who hails from Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, where he holds a chieftaincy title. However, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has refused to recognise him, urging the people of the southeast to ignore what they call a baseless and senseless sit-at-home order.

Earlier today, Mr Ekpa was taken into custody, just 48 hours before the start of the general elections in Nigeria. Finish criminal investigator, Tommi Reen from the Central Criminal Police, said that the operation was connected to an ongoing preliminary investigation.

Nigeria had asked Finland to intervene in Mr Ekpa’s activities. Last week, the minister of foreign affairs Godfrey Onyeama invited the Finnish ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvänäinen to a meeting to discuss the activities of Mr Ekpa.

A former Nigerian athlete, Mr Ekpa, has spoken against the unity of the country, insisting the Republic of Biafra must be achieved. Nigerian security and intelligence services have linked the ongoing kidnapping and murders across the southeast to speeches made by Mr Ekpa.