Two of the suspects arrested alongside Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have reportedly been released by the Finnish government.
Ekpa, who was apprehended on November 21, 2024, alongside four others, faces allegations of involvement in terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and funding terrorism in Nigeria.
News360 Info reports that after his arrest, the Päijät-Häme district court ordered his detention, accusing him of “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.”
The group of five has been held in custody since November 2024. However, sources have disclosed to The Nation that Finnish authorities have released two of Ekpa’s alleged co-conspirators.
Details about the identities of those released or the reasons for their release remain unknown at the time of this report.
Government representatives confirmed Ekpa is still in custody but declined to provide additional information.
This development comes after Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, announced that the Nigerian government had formally requested Ekpa’s extradition.
Gen. Musa stated that the necessary documentation for Ekpa’s extradition had been submitted to the Finnish government.
“Legal action is going to be taken accordingly,” he said.
“The Federal Government has actually forwarded most of the requirements to the Finnish Government. So, I’m sure the right thing will be done,” he added.
Investigations revealed that the Finnish government is collaborating with Nigerian authorities to address the violent activities of IPOB in the southern regions of Nigeria.
