Nigerian Govt Confirms Arrest Of Biafra Agitator Simon Ekpa, Shares Action It’ll Take
- The arrest of Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa has been confirmed by the federal government of Nigeria
- This was as the FG commended the government of the Republic of Finland for the arrest of the Finland-based Biafra agitator who is popular on social media
- A statement by the ministry of foreign affairs promised to continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs.
FCT, Abuja - The federal government (FG) on Friday, November 22, attributed the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a controversial Biafra agitator, to sustained diplomatic pressure on Finland by Nigeria.
The FG — through the ministry of foreign affairs — disclosed this in a statement by Kimiebi Ebienfa, the acting spokesperson of the ministry. The statement was obtained by Legit.ng.
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Recall earlier in the week, Ekpa, a Finland-based secessionist, was arrested by law enforcement agents in the northern European nation.
He was subsequently sent to prison by the district court of Paijat-Hame for “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media”.
Ekpa was said to have committed the crime in 2021 in Lahti municipality.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also arrested four other men over alleged terrorist offences.
Reacting, Nigerian authorities hailed the development.
The statement from the ministry of foreign affairs in Abuja partly reads:
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“The ministry of foreign affairs wishes to confirm the arrest of Mr Simon Njoku Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21, 2024."
Nigeria vows to track Ekpa's case
Furthermore, the ministry stated that it would continue to track the progress of Ekpa’s legal case.
It emphasised the importance of the proceedings in addressing the influence of IPOB and transnational actors on Nigeria’s national security.
Read more on Simon Ekpa:
- Simon Ekpa: Yoruba Council reacts to arrest of IPOB separatist, makes 1 crucial demand from Tinubu
- "It's too early": Top PDP bigwig gives different perspective to Simon Ekpa's arrest in Finland
- Simon Ekpa: Presidential spokesman addresses Biafra agitator's case
Expert welcomes Simon Ekpa's arrest
Meanwhile, Timothy Avele, a security expert, has lauded the arrest of Ekpa by Finnish authorities. Avele described Ekpa as a “very controversial being" with no regard for the well-being of the Nigerian people.
Speaking to Legit.ng, Avele highlighted the crucial role of the government in identifying and dismantling the network of Ekpa’s supporters in the southeast.
He said:
“The government must try to identify Ekpa's foot soldiers in the southeast because if you don’t identify them and dislodge them, the securit situation may even get worse."
Avele added:
"The guy has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels, so we welcome his arrest and subsequent detention."
Simon Ekpa: Defence HQ speaks
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the defence headquarters (DHQ) applauded Ekpa's arrest by Finnish law enforcement agents.
DHQ spokesman Edward Buba, in a statement, noted that Ekpa’s arrest is an indication that the international community is in synergy with Nigeria in its efforts to fight terrorism.
