Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, has been arrested alongside four others in Finland over allegations of inciting violence and terrorism-related activities in Nigeria.
According to the Central Criminal Police in Finland, Ekpa and four others were arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”.
“Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21,” the police added.
The statement further reads, “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
“The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”
The head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, was quoted as saying “Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.
“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added.
Ekpa resides in the Lahti region and is a member of the National Coalition Party (NCP) serving on Lahti’s public transport committee.
His arrest is coming a few days after several deadly attacks were carried out in the South-East by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),