Nigerians in Finland are now living in fear after the arrest of separatist leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Simon Ekpa for terror-related offenses.
Nigerians on social media have begun to search for suspected sponsors of the suspect, particularly those financing his alleged terror activities from the United States.
An X user, @Burmese_Tyga_, stated that those sponsoring him should be identified and brought to book.
He said, “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. I’ll make a comprehensive list I’m sending to the Department of State as sponsors of terrorism.
“Someone has to pay for the lives wasted and blood spilled in Igbo land. Destroying your lives here in the US is the least we can do.”
The PUNCH reports that Nigerians in the European country are scared of commenting on the arrest of the suspect over fear of being attacked.
An anonymous Nigerian community leader revealed that the Igbo community was “gravely affected” by the violent acts of the secessionist group.
He said, “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.”
According to the leader, those who reported Ekpa to the police were being threatened.
“A particular person they accused now, they’re after him. This happened before he (Ekpa) was even remanded—what will happen when they imprison him? Everyone is afraid. These people are very deadly,” the source said.
Another anonymous resident said there tension was rising Nigerians among residents in Finland.
“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. But the Finnish Government is trying to get rid of the situation.”
Finland police arrested Ekpa with four others on Thursday for alleged terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.
Ekpa, the self-appointed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is alleged to be using social media to promote violent activities in southeastern Nigeria, including attacks on civilians and the authorities.
Ekpa had attracted global attention, with thousands of Nigerians worldwide petitioning the Finnish and Nigerian governments, as well as the European Union, to take action against his disruptive activities.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its response, summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, urging Finland to cooperate in addressing Ekpa’s threats.
A local publication in Finland, Yle noted that the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation acted on the reports by detaining Ekpa and later releasing him.
The Finnish police also confirmed that Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, and four of his accomplices were arrested as part of an international investigation.
