News

Pro Biafra Agitator Simon Ekpa arrested by the Finnish Central Criminal Police

The controversial pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, has been arrested by the Finnish Central Criminal Police. Mr Ekpa is the leader of Autopilot, a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria.

With events unfolding, the FG will likely apply for his extradition. The Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, who gave the indication on Thursday, said Ekpa, a self-proclaimed disciple of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, should be extradited to Nigeria to face criminal charges.

Also, many Nigerians online demanded his repatriation to Nigeria to face terrorism charges. However, the IPOB dissociated itself from the embattled Biafran separatist, asserting it had no relationship with him.

The Finland-based Biafran agitator is a close ally of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, and inciting violence through his Radio Biafra, amongst others. He has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since 2021 when he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria.

A presidential spokesman, Daniel Bwala, said President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, have yet to be briefed on the arrest of Ekpa.

“The procedure is that the (Nigerian) Embassy in Finland has to have the information and it would brief the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the minister might brief the NSA or the President,’’ he explained.

Ekpa and four others were arrested in Finland on charges related to terrorism, Finland’s Central Criminal Police said in a statement on Thursday.

A report said the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered that Ekpa be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”

Speaking on the development in a statement on Thursday, Gusau said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with the trial of the ESN leader.

Gusau wrote, “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.”

Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, was accused of inciting crimes with terrorist intent, while the other suspects face charges of financing terrorism. He was arrested in February 2023 for his inciting comments and sit-at-home orders to the people of the South-East.

Before his arrest, thousands of Nigerians worldwide signed a petition appealing to the Finnish and Nigerian governments and the European Union to arrest Ekpa. He had asked the people to boycott the 2023 general poll, insisting there would be no election in the region.

Worried by his activities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, over his threats to stop the 2023 general election in the South-East. The ministry sought the Finnish government’s cooperation to arrest Ekpa over threats to disrupt the exercise.

The Finnish police confirmed on Thursday that Ekpa and his accomplices were arrested earlier this week as part of an international investigation.

Ekpa, who describes Ekpa, who describes himself as the “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is alleged to have used social media platforms to promote violent activities in the South-East, including attacks on civilians and authorities.

The police said the main suspect 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 police added: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21. 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 read in part.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has distanced themselves from the self acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE) Simon Ekpa.

Ekpa was arrested alongside four others by the government of Finland over terror-related activities.

News

Fubara meets Tinubu in Aso Rock amid defection rumours

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday. Our correspondent sighted the governor walking towards the President’s office at 5:01 p.m., dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap.

Minutes earlier, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, had been ushered in for a separate engagement. Details of both meetings remain undisclosed. Fubara’s visit comes amid speculation that he may defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress following political turbulence in Rivers State.

On December 5, 17 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, defected from the PDP to the APC, shifting the legislature’s balance of power. The only three lawmakers considered loyal to Fubara have not resumed sitting since the six-month emergency rule was lifted on September 18, deepening uncertainty about his political future.

Months earlier, Fubara had been reinstated as governor following the end of the emergency rule imposed by President Tinubu on March 18. Nwifuru, an APC governor and former Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, has also engaged the Presidency on infrastructure and security coordination in the South-East.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, disclosed this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday. During a site inspection about two weeks ago, Fubara had said the Assembly complex along Moscow Road would be completed before the end of the year.

He said he intended to present the 2026 budget in the new complex, noting, “I strongly believe that before the end of December, this particular place should be set. Maybe when they come in, the other side of the complex will be handled by the Speaker himself. But this major work on the site, I will make sure it is ready for them, so that we will present our budget for 2026 in the main hallowed chambers, in the dignified manner that befits us.”

Anabraba reiterated that Fubara is committed to delivering democratic dividends to all citizens, assuring residents of safety and adherence to peace.

“From December 10 to 23, the projects to be commissioned and flagged off will cover Ahoada East and West, Ogba/E

News

ADC to Obi: Make up your mind now

The African Democratic Congress has asked the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to make up his mind about joining the party.

The party said that although Obi was an important political leader needed in its coalition, it would not compel the former Anambra State governor to join.

Obi had, during an interview on YouTube with ‘Advocacy for Good Governance’ on Wednesday, stated that the ADC-led coalition was unstable due to some unresolved issues, including the zoning arrangement.

The presidential hopeful said he believed in the coalition despite being a member of the Labour Party, urging the ADC to settle some “fundamentals” necessary for a credible alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite his reservations, Obi expressed confidence in the quality of leaders driving the group, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

When asked if he would stand by the coalition even if he did not emerge as its presidential candidate, Obi said he was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire for national progress.

But the Peter Obi Media Office said Obi never granted the interview. His media aide, Ibrahim Umar, in a statement on Friday, said Obi had confidence in the ADC. However, the spokesperson for the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, while speaking, said the party was not ready to toe Obi’s line of zoning.

He said the priority of the party was to convince Nigerians that it was a credible alternative.

“We’re not talking about zoning or no zoning now. Nigerians are still waiting for us to tell them what we will do differently. So, zoning or no zoning is not on the table now. If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait till that time.

“I understand what Peter has been saying. But I will encourage him to make up his mind if he wants to be part of the coalition or not. Because the most important thing for us is how we can convince Nigerians that we represent the credible alternative, and this is without prejudice to where the candidate will come from,” he said.

The ADC spokesperson said the party wanted Obi and encouraged him to be part of the coalition.

News

FG probes report of military aircraft grounded in Burkina Faso

The Federal Government has said it is looking into the matter following reports from Burkina Faso that a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft was forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso after allegedly violating the country’s airspace.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said officials were still gathering details.

“We are monitoring the situation and will issue a statement when we receive adequate information,” he told reporters.

It was earlier reported that the Government of Burkina Faso said a Nigerian Air Force aircraft carrying eleven soldiers was forced to land in the country on Monday after reportedly violating its airspace.

The incident occurred on Monday and was first reported by the Agence d’Information du Burkina, which published a statement from the Confederation of Sahel States.

According to the statement, the aircraft, carrying two crew members and nine soldiers, made an emergency landing while operating in Burkinabe airspace.

The statement added that an investigation by Burkinabe authorities “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”

“The Confederation of Sahel States informs the public that a C-130 aircraft belonging to the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to land today, December 8, 2025, in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following an in-flight emergency while operating in Burkinabe airspace.

“The military aircraft had two (2) crew members and nine (9) passengers on board, all military personnel,” the Sahel regional body said.

Authorities in Burkina Faso later stated that an investigation “highlighted the absence of authorisation to fly over the territory of Burkina Faso for this military device.”

The Confederation condemned the development as a breach of sovereignty, saying it “condemns with the utmost firmness this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member States.”

It further warned that its air and anti-aircraft units had been placed on maximum alert and “were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the Confederate space.”