Extradition process for pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa ongoing – CDS

The Nigerian government has forwarded the necessary requirements for the extradition of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa to Finland, according to Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

Speaking during Channels Television’s 2024 Year-In-Review program on December 31, 2024, Musa confirmed the development and expressed confidence in the legal process.

“Well, I’m sure he is cooling off somewhere,” Musa said. “Legal action is going to be taken accordingly. I don’t want to say much about that, but I’m happy he has been arrested. The Federal Government has actually forwarded most of the requirements to the Finnish Government. So, I’m sure the right thing will be done.”

Ekpa, who has been linked to the sit-at-home order disrupting the South-East region, was arrested by Finnish authorities in November 2024 along with four others for suspected terror-related offenses, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.

Following his arrest, a Finnish district court in Lahti remanded Ekpa on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent in Nigeria. He was accused of leveraging social media to propagate separatist agendas connected to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria.

General Musa also noted that military operations in the South-East have successfully reduced the impact of the sit-at-home orders orchestrated by Ekpa and his allies.