Supporters of terrorism suspect Simon Ekpa are gathering in Lahti. A group posing as the United States of Biafra re-declared Biafra independent.
The group calling itself the Refugee Government of Biafra has been meeting in Lahti since the weekend. About 300 people will take part in the event supporting Simon Ekpa, a local-Nigerian local politician who is suspected of terrorism.
Simon Ekpa has pushed for the independence of Biafra from Finland. Ekpa was imprisoned the other week on probable cause, on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The meeting has demanded the release of Ekpa.
The group now meeting in Lahti re-declared Biafra as an independent state. Ekpa, a local politician with a coalition background, is presented in the declaration of independence as the prime minister of the state called the United States of Biafra.
There is currently no information about the organizer of the event, the United States of Biafra group, and its real influence in Nigeria. However, Simon Ekpa has had a solid following on social media.
In the past, the independence of Biafra has been pushed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has denied that Simon Ekpa works in its ranks. The United States of Biafra (USB) appears to be a parallel movement to IPOB.
Biafra flags next to Finnish flags
In connection with the event, the flags of Biafra have flown together with the flags of Finland. The CEO of Lahti fairs , Kimmo Kivisilta, commented to Yle in an email that the event is a private event, about which they have a duty of confidentiality regarding both the content and the details.
– The Sibelius Hall and the Lahti Exhibition Center is a completely neutral event hall that is rented on the principle of equality. No position is taken at any level at any event, says Kivisilta.
Kivisilta also points out that there is freedom to fly flags in Finland.
– The tickets have been picked up by the event organizer. A separate permit is not required for flying national flags.
Police aware
Martti Hirvonen, Häme police’s crime district commissioner , says that the police are aware of the incident in Lahti.
– The police have information about the program of the event and the nature of the event, but we have no reason to suspect that there was anything criminal.
According to Hirvonen, the Central Criminal Police is also interested in the opportunity.
The organizers of the event have also announced a demonstration in Lahti on Tuesday.
Originally, the demonstration was supposed to be held in front of the Hennala police station, but the police were able to move the event to the Lahti market. About 500 people are expected to attend. Advance notification of the event has been made. The police do not see the expression as a security threat.
The fight for freedom
Ngozi Orabueze, a representative of the Biafra independence movement , says that they gathered in Helsinki last year to prepare for the event that is now underway. Lahti was chosen as the location because Ekpa lives in Lahti and Finland is a familiar place for them.
– We chose Lahti because of our Prime Minister Simon Ekpa. The local authorities say he is inciting us. That is why he is not with us today.
Ngozi Orabueze says they are fighting for freedom.
– We have the right to self-determination and that’s exactly how our prime minister works.
Biafra is a southern province of Nigeria. There has been unrest in the region in recent years, but no wider armed conflict or revolution seeking independence.
In the 1960s, the state that declared itself the Republic of Biafra sought independence from Nigeria. During and after the war between the separatists and the Nigerian government, about one million people died.
Source: yle
