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FCT, ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed plans to extradite Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to Nigeria to face terrorism-related charges.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 21, 2024, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, revealed that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Chris Musa, expressed satisfaction with Ekpa’s recent arrest in Finland.
Gusau stated, “The CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.”
A Finnish court in Lahti had earlier ordered Ekpa’s remand on probable cause for public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent in Nigeria.
Ekpa is accused of using social media to promote separatist propaganda linked to IPOB, resulting in violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria.
According to Finnish investigators, Ekpa’s activities, dating back to August 2021, include financial crimes and questionable fundraising methods.
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen of Finland’s Central Criminal Police stated, “The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland with means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in southeastern Nigeria.”
Ekpa’s extradition is seen as a critical step toward addressing the security challenges posed by his alleged activities.
