A Finnish court in the district of Päijät-Häme has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to prison for disseminating terrorist propaganda.
Ekpa was found guilty of engaging in terrorist activities in 2021 in Lahti, Finland. Finnish authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), stated that his social media activities incited violence in Nigeria’s southeast region. According to Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, Ekpa used social media platforms to spread rhetoric that fueled unrest and directed violent actions.
In addition to Ekpa, four other individuals were arrested by the Finnish police on suspicion of involvement in terrorist offenses.
Ekpa, who has claimed leadership of IPOB since Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, was previously arrested at his Lahti residence in February 2023 but was released after questioning. Finnish authorities noted that Ekpa’s activities contributed to a series of violent attacks in Nigeria, including enforcing sit-at-home orders that resulted in civilian casualties.
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The separatist leader had directed his supporters to attack Nigerian security forces and civilians who defied his orders. He also campaigned for a boycott of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.
Despite repeated pleas from the Nigerian government and security agencies, Finland has been criticized for its perceived inaction against Ekpa’s activities until now. His conviction marks a significant development in efforts to curb the influence of individuals promoting violence from foreign jurisdictions.
Ekpa has been linked to IPOB’s armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), and accused of mobilizing funds to support their activities. Finnish authorities emphasized the importance of addressing terrorist activities globally, regardless of their geographic origins.
