The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday announced that it is closely monitoring the court proceedings after the arrest of self-styled Prime Minister of a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa by Finish authorities.
FACTSHEET reports that Ekpa was arrested by Finish Police on Thursday and was subsequently charged to court on allegations of terrorism financing and inciting violence.
Ekpa who claims he is the “Prime Minister of Biafra Republic” has also at different times claimed leadership of the “autopilot” faction of the IPOB that unleashed unprecedented violence on the people of the Southeast and also declared sit-at-homes that have brought the economy of the region to its knees.
Confirming the interest of the Federal Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a statement signed by Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated that the arrest of Ekpa was a significant step in ending the carnage in the Southeast.
Part of the statement reads:
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to confirm the arrest of Mr Simon Njoku Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
“He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
“The Ministry wishes to affirm that the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralising the influence of transnational actors and their impact on our national security.
“The Ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses.”