The Finnish Government has released two of the individuals who were detained alongside Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in-Exile (BRGIE). The release occurred on Sunday, despite the ongoing detention of Ekpa, who was arrested by Finnish security forces on November 21, 2024, along with four other suspects.
Ekpa and his associates were taken into custody on allegations of involvement in terrorist activities in Nigeria. Following his arrest, Ekpa was placed in detention by the Päijät-Häme district court, facing charges related to spreading terrorist propaganda through social media platforms. The five individuals have remained in custody since November 2024. However, the reason behind the release of two suspects while Ekpa remains incarcerated remains unclear.
In related developments, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, confirmed late last year that the Nigerian government had formally requested Ekpa’s extradition. He disclosed that the necessary documentation for the extradition had been submitted to the Finnish authorities, with the Nigerian government confident that the proper legal procedures would be followed.
“Legal action is going to be taken accordingly. The Federal Government has actually forwarded most of the requirements to the Finnish Government. So, I’m sure the right thing will be done,” Gen. Musa stated.
Simon Ekpa has been linked to several violent incidents during attempts to enforce the sit-at-home orders in Nigeria’s South-East region, raising concerns over his role in promoting unrest.
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