The Nigerian government has escalated its efforts to secure the extradition of Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), currently residing in Finland.
This development was confirmed by Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, after high-level discussions with diplomats from Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark in Abuja on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists, Tuggar highlighted that Nigeria had voiced its concerns about Ekpa, a prominent Biafra agitator, during the talks with Finland. “That is a no-brainer,” Tuggar stated. “You know there’s no way Nigeria is going to engage with Finland without raising the issue of Simon Ekpa, and raising it vociferously. So, take that as having been done.”
Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Elina Valtonen acknowledged that Finland is addressing Nigeria’s complaint against Ekpa, who holds dual Nigerian-Finnish citizenship. “We have taken this up and discussed this with the Nigerian authorities… and the entire process is within our judicial system,” Valtonen revealed.
Valtonen noted that Ekpa’s case has strained diplomatic relations between Finland and Nigeria, although she avoided directly naming him. Her comments made it clear that Finland is grappling with the challenge of balancing Ekpa’s right to freedom of expression with the criminal nature of his inciteful social media activities, which have incited violence in Nigeria’s Southeast region.
“Finland operates very strictly by the rule of law,” Valtonen emphasized, assuring that the matter will be handled through legal channels and not influenced by political considerations. She added that both countries’ judicial systems are working together on the issue, with hopes for a swift resolution.
Ekpa, who refers to himself as the ‘Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile,’ has claimed responsibility for attacks on Nigerian security forces and individuals suspected of supporting Nigeria. He justifies these actions as a response to what he describes as the terror inflicted by Nigerian security forces on “Biafra territory.”
Operating from Finland, Ekpa has advocated for extreme measures to achieve the secession of Nigeria’s Southeast and parts of neighboring states to form a sovereign Biafra nation—a goal that ignited the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970. His tactics include enforcing an illegal stay-at-home order every Monday in the region, causing significant economic disruption as residents comply out of fear of violence.
Ekpa’s methods have led to a rift with Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of IPOB, over their differing approaches to achieving Biafran independence. Kanu, a dual British and Nigerian citizen, has been in the custody of Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) since June 2021, following his re-arrest in Kenya. He faces charges of treasonable felony in Abuja.
The Nigerian government has accused Finland and the European Union of allowing Ekpa to continue his destabilizing activities in the Southeast region.
