Simon Ekpa, self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), has been arrested in Finland on charges related to terrorist activities. Finnish news outlets report that the Päijät-Häme District Court has detained Ekpa, a Nigerian-born politician from Lahti, for allegedly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
The court claims Ekpa has been spreading separatist propaganda on social media, with the incident dating back to August 23, 2021, in Lahti.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also seeking the detention of four others linked to terrorism-related offenses.
Ekpa, a local politician with Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP), currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. He leads a movement in Nigeria pushing for an independent Biafran state in the southeast.
Authorities are investigating Ekpa for allegedly using his position to encourage violence against civilians and government forces in southeastern Nigeria, coordinating these efforts through social media from Finland. His actions, as the self-declared “Prime Minister” of BRGIE, have raised concerns about his role in fueling unrest.
“This activity has been carried out, among other means, via social media channels,” said Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen.
The NBI’s inquiry also involves a Finnish-Nigerian citizen suspected of publicly inciting terrorism. Four others are under investigation for financing terrorism. All five were arrested earlier this week, with Ekpa residing in Lahti, two others in Helsinki, and one with no registered address in Finland.
In 2023, Ekpa was briefly arrested on suspicion of fraud related to fundraising, but he was released the same day. His separatist activism, including calls to boycott Nigerian elections, has drawn international attention. Ekpa opposed the 2023 Nigerian elections, declaring, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”
Ekpa has also defended violence, claiming it is a form of self-defense against the Nigerian government, which he accuses of war crimes.
Timo Elo, the NCP Secretary, declined to comment on Ekpa’s current party membership. However, Elo noted that if any member were suspected of terrorism-related offenses, expulsion would be likely. The evaluation of Ekpa’s role in the public transport commission is to be addressed locally.
