Military authorities in Nigeria have welcomed the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government In Exile.
The military high command said it strongly believe that Ekpa will be extradited to Nigeria to face his warrant.
NewsBand reported earlier today that the rabble rouser agitator was taken into custody alongside four others on terror-related activities.
He was immediately remanded in prison by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
Finland police in a statement said Mr Ekpa was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”.
“The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
“The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria”, the statement reads.
Also, the statement while quoting the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police said that “the man has orchestrated this activity, among other things, on his social media channels”.
“Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.
“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added.
While reacting to Ekpa’s arrest in a message, the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has always called for the arrest of Simon Ekpa following is deep involvement in fueling terrorism in South East Nigeria.
“We are delighted about his arrest, and glad that the international community is partnering with Nigerian in our fight against terrorism.”
Also, Director Defence Information Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said, “The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice,” he said.
