Tensions are running high among Nigerians in Finland following the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a prominent leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the potential fallout from his activities.
Ekpa, who faces charges of incitement to violence and financing terrorism, was detained by Finnish authorities along with four accomplices on Thursday.
This has sent shockwaves through the Igbo community in Finland, with some residents fearing retaliation for speaking out against his actions.
A Nigerian community leader, speaking anonymously due to fears of victimization, described the atmosphere as one of intense fear.
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“Everyone is afraid to speak about Ekpa’s arrest. The key people in Finland and the Igbo community at large are not ready to lend their voices either,” the source said.
The fear of violent reprisals, particularly from Ekpa’s supporters, has silenced many in the diaspora who were once vocal about his activities.
Before his arrest, Ekpa had gained global notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which led to violent disruptions in southeastern Nigeria.
His online campaigns also included issuing sit-at-home orders that caused widespread chaos in the region, further exacerbating the climate of fear.
A resident, who also wished to remain unnamed, said: “People don’t want to speak about Ekpa for fear of being hunted by his followers. We believe that they will hunt whoever comes out to talk about their leader.”
The Finnish police arrested Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, as part of an international investigation into terror-related activities.
According to Finnish authorities, Ekpa is suspected of inciting violence and financing terrorism through social media, promoting attacks against civilians and security forces in Nigeria.
In response to his arrest, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its satisfaction, stating it would continue to monitor the situation closely.
The ministry also emphasized the significance of addressing IPOB’s transnational influence on Nigeria’s security.
IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful welcomed the development, calling Ekpa’s actions a source of suffering for people in southeastern Nigeria.
“There was no rest; people could not sleep with two eyes closed. He was terrorizing people with his criminal gang,” he said.
On the other hand, Samuel Edeson, spokesperson for the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), stated that the group was still assessing the situation and would consult with other factions before deciding on their response.
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Meanwhile, the search for Ekpa’s financial backers has intensified. On social media, Nigerians are calling for the identification and prosecution of individuals allegedly supporting Ekpa’s activities, particularly those believed to be funding his operations from the United States.
A Twitter user (@Burmese_Tyga_) urged others to report anyone with links to Ekpa: “If Simon Ekpa is indicted for terrorism in Finland and you know anybody in the US who has donated to him, pls forward name and address to me,” the user said.
