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.
“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.
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.
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