Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed leader of the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has reportedly been arrested in Finland.
According to prominent Finnish news outlet, Helsingin Sanomat, Simon Ekpa was arrested by officers of the Central Criminal Police while the news outlet was preparing to interview Simon Ekpa at his apartment in Lahti, a city and municipality in Finland.
Helsinging Sanomat reports that its reporters were present were police officers escorted Simon Ekpa out of his apartment and were told that the proposed interview would have to be moved to a date in the distant future.
“When asked if it is because the interrogations take a long time or because it is not possible to meet the person we are after, the police answer that “both and”.
The cameraman who was present at HS later testified when Simon Ekpa was escorted out of the apartment by plainclothes policemen.”
A Criminal Inspector, Tommi Reen, is also reported to have confirmed to the Finnish news outlet on phone on Thursday that the Central Criminal Police had a police operation in a private apartment in the center of Lahti in connection with ongoing preliminary investigation but did not comment on the crime being investigated.
Simon Ekpa is reported to have repeatedly urged members of the ESN to carry out attacks in Nigeria’s south-east and threatened to disrupt the forthcoming 2023 general elections. Concerned about his activities, the Nigerian government is said to have asked Finland to intervene in Ekpa’s activities. Recently, the Nigerian foreign minister reportedly invited the Finnish ambassador, Leena Pylvänäinen to a meeting because of the topic.
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