Nigeria wants extradition of separatist arrested in Finland
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Nigeria has announced plans to seek the extradition of Simon Ekpa, a controversial leader of a banned secessionist movement, following his arrest in Finland on terrorism charges. Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, is known for leading a faction in exile of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group advocating for a breakaway state in Nigeria’s southeastern region. The Nigerian authorities have accused him of using social media platforms to incite violence and disrupt peace in the region.
Ekpa has repeatedly denied any direct involvement in the killings and violence that have plagued southeastern Nigeria in recent years. This region was the site of the bloody Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafra War, in the late 1960s. Although Ekpa describes himself as the “prime minister” of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, the IPOB has distanced itself from his actions. The group, which remains banned in Nigeria, has stated that Ekpa does not speak for its official leadership.
The Nigerian government views Ekpa as a significant threat due to his role in encouraging secessionist movements and violence. In March, the Nigerian army released a statement listing Ekpa, along with 96 other individuals, as wanted for terrorism, violent extremism, and instigating secessionist activities. Despite this, Ekpa has managed to avoid capture, continuing his campaign for an independent Biafra through social media and public statements.
Ekpa resides in Lahti, a city located north of Helsinki, where he works as a local representative for Finland’s conservative National Coalition Party. His arrest by Finnish authorities has been linked to his alleged incitement of violence in southeastern Nigeria. Finnish officials claim that Ekpa used his social media platforms to promote violence against civilians and government authorities in the region.
The investigation into Ekpa’s activities has involved international cooperation, although Finnish officials have not confirmed whether Nigerian authorities were directly involved. In addition to Ekpa’s arrest, Finnish authorities detained four other individuals on suspicion of financing his activities. This development has raised hopes in Nigeria that Ekpa’s extradition may soon become a reality.
While it remains unclear if an official extradition request has been made, Nigerian officials have expressed optimism that Ekpa will eventually face justice in Nigeria. Dada Olusegun, a special assistant to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, posted a message on social media mocking Ekpa’s self-appointed title as “Prime Minister” and thanking Finland for the arrest. Nigerian officials have also lauded the arrest, describing it as a significant step in the fight against terrorism in the country.
The Nigerian army has welcomed the arrest, calling it a “key victory” in its ongoing efforts to combat separatist movements and terrorism. Tukur Gusau, a spokesperson for the Nigerian army, expressed satisfaction with the development, stating that army chief Christopher Musa hoped Ekpa’s extradition would lead to his trial in Nigeria. Edward Buba, the director of defense media operations, also emphasized that Nigeria values international cooperation in its battle against terrorism.
Nigeria has previously attempted to extradite Ekpa but without success. In February, Ekpa was arrested in Finland after he threatened to disrupt Nigeria’s 2023 general election. However, Finnish authorities released him after a brief interrogation, citing his rights as a Finnish citizen. This led to accusations from the Nigerian military that Finland and the European Union were protecting Ekpa from facing justice.
Ekpa is a prominent figure in southeastern Nigeria, where he commands a considerable following. His calls for sit-at-home protests and other demonstrations have contributed to the ongoing instability in the region, which has seen violent clashes between IPOB members and security forces. His influence remains strong, and he continues to rally support for the Biafra cause, despite IPOB’s official disavowal of his actions.
Ekpa’s rise to national prominence came in 2021 when he announced on his Facebook page that IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu had appointed him to broadcast on the group’s Radio Biafra station. Kanu, who had led IPOB since its inception, was arrested in 2021 while in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria for trial. IPOB, initially founded in 2012 as a peaceful movement advocating for the rights of the Igbo people, formed an armed wing in 2020, citing the need to defend the ethnic group. However, critics of the group argue that IPOB’s violent actions have caused significant suffering in the region, leading to the Nigerian government officially designating the group as a “terrorist” organization.
With Ekpa’s arrest, Nigerian authorities are hopeful that his extradition will mark the beginning of legal proceedings against him, aiming to curb the growing influence of separatist movements in the country. Whether or not this will lead to a resolution of the Biafran issue remains uncertain, but it underscores the continuing tension between the Nigerian government and those advocating for an independent Biafra.
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