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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.

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Davido pays N2 million per haircut – Singer’s Barber Reveals

Nigerian afrobeats superstar Davido Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, pays as much as N2 million every time he gets a haircut, according to his long-term barber, Kufre Nnah.

Kufre made the revelation in a social media post, in which he shared a picture of himself working on Davido’s hair.

The Barber, who runs his business as Kayz Place, also revealed that he’s been Davido’s Barber since he was 12, when he used to pay only N200 to get a haircut.

Disclosing that Davido now pays him N2 million per haircut, Kufre admired the singer and appreciated him for being a part of his journey over the years.

Kufre’s post, which also had pictures showing Davido’s haircut up close, was captioned:

“I started cutting Davido’s hair when he was just 12 years old, when he used to pay me 200 Naira. Today, he’s paying 2 million for a haircut…what a journey! So proud to have been part of his story from the beginning. Big thanks to you, brothe,r for trusting me all these years. Your success is truly inspiring.”

Recall that earlier this weekend, on Saturday, Davido was out showing up for another long-term associate, his manager Asa Asika, at his traditional wedding where he was on groomsmen duties.

In his heartfelt speech at the ceremony held in Lagos, Davido recounted how he and Asa worked hard together to build their music empire from absolutely nothing.

Davido hailed Asa for being more than just his manager, saying he’s his ‘shield,’ his sanity, and his brother in every battle.

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PDP Crisis Worsen as NEC set to decide fate of Rebel Members

Party elder Chief Bode George has warned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may expel some prominent members at its upcoming National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on May 27. In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, George said the NEC was prepared to take decisive action against members who no longer adhere to party rules or its founding principles.

“Those who cannot abide by the rules and regulations of the party, we can throw them out,” he said.

George criticised some party members for placing personal interests above public service.

What is democracy? It’s all about the management of the resources of the land for the benefit of the people. That is not what they have done now,” he lamented.He stressed that the NEC would hold a closed-door session to confront internal issues head-on.

“We should tell ourselves some serious home truths and come back to the position as laid down by the founding fathers of our party,” George said.

Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been grappling with deep internal divisions.

Instead of consolidating as a viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has struggled with disloyalty and factionalism.

A flashpoint in the crisis is the conduct of some high-profile PDP members who have openly backed APC President Bola Tinubu.

Chief among them is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who recently declared his support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, despite remaining in the PDP.

This stance has drawn sharp criticism from the party, with some members accusing the leadership of overlooking blatant acts of disloyalty

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Ex-US President Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones, according to a statement released by his personal office on Sunday, May 18.

The 82-year-old was evaluated last week after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms, leading to the discovery of a prostate nodule.

A biopsy confirmed a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), indicating a highly aggressive form of the disease.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” the statement noted.

According to CNN, Biden and his family are reviewing treatment options with his medical team. A source familiar with his schedule confirmed that he is spending the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

The announcement comes just days after Biden’s team acknowledged that he had undergone evaluation for a small prostate nodule. Medical experts not involved in his care offered context on the seriousness of the diagnosis.

“Prostate cancer is very common. As we get older, most men are going to have little cancer cells in them,” said Dr Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and robotic surgeon with Orlando Health.

However, Biden’s Gleason score signals a more severe prognosis.

“A Gleason score of 9 means it’s the most aggressive form of prostate cancer,” explained Dr Benjamin Davies, a professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre.

It remains unclear where the former president is receiving treatment at present. However, efforts to request further details are underway.

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