21st November 2024
By Idris Buba
Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The publication reported that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, noting that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
The police statement further revealed: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”
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It elaborated that the investigation centers on “a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, 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.”
Finnish crime Commissioner, Otto Hiltunen, head of the investigation, stated: “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The four other suspects are accused of financing the activities under investigation. “All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.
