Police in Finland arrest five individuals for separatist unrest in southeast Nigeria

Published 6:30 PM ET, Saturday November 23, 2024

HELSINKI, Finland: Five individuals have been arrested by Finnish police on suspicion of being involved in separatist violence in southeastern Nigeria.

The police have not confirmed the identities of any of the suspects arrested earlier this week, but Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa lives in the Finnish city of Lahti, where a district court is considering extending the suspects’ detention.

Finnish police stated they are investigating a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen, as well as four others, on suspicion of openly inciting terrorism-related violence in southeastern Nigeria.

Nigeria has experienced years of bloodshed as a result of armed extremist organizations’ activities, as well as societal rallies against the cost of living problem and alleged weak administration.

This story will be updated as additional details become available.