Nigerian authorities are seeking the extradition of Simon Ekpa, a controversial figure and leader of a banned secessionist movement, after his arrest in Finland on terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, claims to lead a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) from exile. This group advocates for a breakaway state in southeastern Nigeria, where a bloody civil war took place in the late 1960s. Authorities accuse Ekpa of using social media to incite violence in the region, a claim he has denied.
Finnish officials confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, stating that he had incited violence against civilians and public authorities in Nigeria while operating from Finland. The investigation reportedly involves international cooperation, though it remains unclear whether Nigeria was formally involved.
Ekpa, who describes himself as the “prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile,” has been disowned by Ipob. Nigerian military officials have labeled his arrest a significant victory, expressing hope for his extradition to face charges of terrorism, violent extremism, and secessionist activities.
Four others were also detained in Finland on suspicion of financing Ekpa’s activities.
While Nigerian authorities have not confirmed submitting an official extradition request, government representatives have publicly called for Ekpa to stand trial in Nigeria. Dada Olusegun, an aide to President Bola Tinubu, mocked Ekpa’s self-proclaimed title in a social media post, signaling confidence in his eventual prosecution.
This is not Nigeria’s first attempt to bring Ekpa to justice. Finnish authorities previously detained him in February 2023 following threats to disrupt Nigeria’s general elections but released him after a brief interrogation.
Ekpa has maintained a significant following in parts of southeastern Nigeria, a region long troubled by instability linked to clashes between Ipob and security forces. He has organized several sit-at-home protests against the Nigerian government, further fueling tensions.
Ipob, established in 2012 as a peaceful movement, formed an armed wing in 2020, citing the need to defend the Igbo ethnic group. However, critics accuse the group of perpetrating widespread violence.
The arrest marks a critical moment in Nigeria’s efforts to curb separatist activities, with officials lauding the international community’s cooperation in combating terrorism.