Two of the suspects arrested alongside Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), are reported to been released by the Finnish government.
Ekpa, who has been leading a cessationist agitation from Finland was apprehended on November 21, 2024, alongside four others.
He faces allegations of involvement in terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and funding terrorism in Nigeria.
After Ekpa’s arrest, the Päijät-Häme district court ordered his detention, accusing him of “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.”
The group of five has been held in custody since November 2024. However, sources have disclosed to The Nation that the Finnish authorities have released two of Ekpa’s alleged co-conspirators.
Details about the identities of those released or the reasons for their release remain unknown at the time of this report.
Government representatives confirmed Ekpa is still in custody but declined to provide additional information.
This development comes after Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, announced that the Nigerian government had formally requested Ekpa’s extradition.
Gen. Musa stated that the necessary documentation for Ekpa’s extradition had been submitted to the Finnish government.