Image: Vanguard.
Authorities in Finland on Thursday, arrested Simon Ekpa, the Finland-based Biafra agitator who is being fingered in the recent violence in the Southeast region of Nigeria.
According to HS, a news outlet in Finland, Ekpa was escorted out of his apartment in Lahti by Finish police.
HS claimed that when its team visited Ekpa’s residence for an interview with him, his doorbell was surprisingly answered by KRP, the Finland police.
The news platform further said that its team was not allowed to enter Ekpa's apartment by the KRP which said that the interview would be moved “to the future”.
Meanwhile, a source from the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has confirmed the arrest to Vanguard, saying that Ekpa was on his way to Israel when he was arrested.
“The information reaching us now is that Simon Ekpa has been arrested. He was arrested on his way to Israel. He challenged the Igbos and now he has gotten what he deserved,” the source said.
Calls to stop Ekpa.
Last year, Nigerians from around the world signed a petition appealing to Finland, the Nigerian Government, and the European Union to arrest Ekpa for spearheading the violence and wanton destruction of lives and properties in the Southeast through his sit-at-home orders.
Several Igbo groups including the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo and Igbo community in Finland also called for Ekpa to be restrained.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB filed a legal suit against Mr. Ekpa because of his " violent, disturbing, and false declarations."
Recently, Nigeria's Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama held talks with the Finish ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen on how to curtail Ekpa's excesses.
Pan-Nigeria elders visit.
Simon Ekpa.
A group of Nigerian elders known as the pan-Nigerian elder's forum also met the Finish envoy to protest the destabilizing impact of the activities and utterances of Simon Ekpa on the Southeast region.
Ekpa, had recently in a series of videos posted on social media, directed his loyalists to stop the conduct of the February and March 2023 general elections in the zone.
Following his directives, there have been increased attacks on police stations, INEC facilities, Courts, and politicians in the region by gangs suspected to be carrying out his orders.
The delegation of Nigerian elders included Chief Simon Okeke, Amb. Okey Emuchay (Ohaneze); Chief Edwin Clarke (PANDEF); Prof Ango Abdulahi (Northern Elders Forum, NEF); Dr. Emeka Ezeife (Igbo Elders Forum); Chief Ayo Adebanjo (Afenifere); Dr. Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum); and Anthony Sani (NEF).
Elder Ken Emechebe, Ambassador Humphrey Orjiakor, Ferdinand Agu, Prof Charles Nwokeaku, and Tagbo Okeke were also part of the delegation.
In a protest letter signed by Chief Simon Okeke on behalf of the elders and presented to the Finish ambassador, the pan-Nigeria Elders Forum said of Ekpa: “On his instructions, many have been killed and maimed in the South East, as well as properties belonging to both private citizens, the state and the federal government worth billions of naira destroyed.
“He has also recently directed a sit-at-home throughout the entire South East region to commence before, during, and after the general elections.”
Finland's actions are classified.
Responding, the envoy had said the Finnish government recognized that Ekpa's fundamental human rights have to be upheld, but those rights have limits.
She noted that Finland was doing “certain things” about the matter, which remain classified information and would not be disclosed yet.
Ekpa claimed to be a disciple of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, but the IPOB has repeatedly clarified that he does not belong to the group.
Politics and Opinion.
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