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Finnish court jails Simon Ekpa six years for terrorism offences

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The Päijät-Häme District Court on Monday sentenced Nigerian-born Finnish, Simon Ekpa, to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences, according to official court documents seen by BBC News Pidgin on Monday.

The 40-year-old former municipal politician from Lahti was convicted on multiple charges, including participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.

The court ordered that Ekpa remain in custody.

According to the judgment, between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa attempted to promote the independence of the so-called Biafra region in southeastern Nigeria through illegal means.

“He used social media to gain a politically influential position and took advantage of the confusion within a key separatist movement in Nigeria to play a significant role in it,” the court statement stated as reported by BBC News pidgin.

Ekpa denied all the charges against him.

The court also found that Ekpa was instrumental in founding and developing the separatist movement into a more organised structure, working alongside others.

It was revealed during the trial that armed groups were established under the movement, which the court classified as terrorist organisations.

“Ekpa equipped the groups with weapons, explosives and ammunition through his contact network. He also urged and enticed his followers on X (formerly Twitter) to commit crimes in Nigeria,” the court said.

The trial was conducted over 12 sessions between May 30 and June 25, 2025, with a panel of three judges unanimously delivering the verdict.

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Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa in December 2024 on charges linked to terrorism.

He was held on probable cause and suspicion of publicly inciting people to commit crimes with terrorist intent.

The alleged offences were said to have occurred between August 23, 2021, and November 2024, primarily in the city of Lahti.

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation also initially arrested four other men in connection with the case. However, charges against them were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Ekpa, who previously served as a municipal councillor in Lahti, is widely known for his controversial role in the Biafran separatist movement.

His online broadcasts and social media activity have drawn both support and condemnation within and outside Nigeria.

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PHOTOS: TROOPS OF 12 BRIGADE RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS, FOIL TERRORIST LOGISTICS MOVEMENT IN KOGI STATE

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Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have recorded significant operational successes in Kogi State, rescuing kidnapped victims and foiling a terrorist logistics movement in separate but coordinated operations conducted on 6 May 2026.

In a major breakthrough under Operation TIGER PAW II, troops successfully rescued the remaining kidnapped victims from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage following sustained search and rescue efforts. Acting on credible intelligence and maintaining persistent operational pressure, troops of the Brigade’s Blocking Force intercepted and recovered the victims within the Agbaja Forest general area in Lokoja Local Government Area.

The rescued victims comprised five boys, two girls, and two adult females, believed to be the wives of the proprietor of the orphanage. They were promptly evacuated to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre where they received immediate medical attention and first aid. All victims are reported to be in stable condition.

In a related development on the same day, troops acting on credible intelligence on the activities of an arms and ammunition syndicate intercepted and apprehended a suspected terrorist ammunition courier along road Obajana–Lokoja in Lokoja Local Government Area. The suspect, identified as Yahaya Umar, was found in possession of 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition concealed inside a bag of maize in an attempt to evade detection.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a key logistics courier involved in the movement of arms and ammunition for terrorists across states within the North Central region.

Further interrogation indicated that the ammunition was handed over to him at Obajana Forest and was being transported to Dikko Junction in Suleja, Niger State, for delivery to a yet-to-be-identified terrorist.

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The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation to aid ongoing operations aimed at dismantling the criminal network and apprehending other members of the syndicate.

These coordinated successes underscore the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while sustaining aggressive operations against terrorists and their collaborators. Members of the public are encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts.

HASSAN ABDULLAHI
Lieutenant
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations
12 Brigade Nigerian Army
6 May 2026

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PHOTOS: Five Nigerians and six Ghanaians arrested for allegedly using deepfake AI-generated video to impersonate President Mahama

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Eleven individuals including five Nigerians have been arrested in Ghana for allegedly using deepfake AI-generated video content to impersonate President John Dramani Mahama.

The suspects were arrested by the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGPs) Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team (CVET) of the Ghana Police Service.

In a statement on Thursday, May 7, 2026, CVET disclosed that the suspects are part of a wider network engaged in the creation and dissemination of fraudulent digital contents designed to impersonate high-profile personalities for financial gains.

The team retrieved several exhibits, including laptop computers, mobile phones, internet routers, 120 pre-registered SIM cards, and a Nigerian-registered ML 350 Mercedes-Benz with registration number Lagos LSR 138HR.

“Between 1st and 3rd May 2026, CVET conducted coordinated cyber operations at Sogakope, Dabala, Tongu, Akatsi and Aflao in the Volta Region which led to the arrest of suspects: Raphael Ablordeppey, 32 years; Anipah Jonathan, 23 years; Dzamesi Bright Kofi, 35 years; Thomas Ayoyo, 17 years and Louis Segbawu, 18 years, following intelligence on a group of individuals allegedly involved in the creation and online circulation of AI-generated video contents impersonating President John Dramani Mahama,” the statement read.

“On 4th May 2026, further cyber field tracking operation also led to the arrest of additional five suspects who are Nigerians and one Ghanaian engaged in the similar online fraudulent activities in Aflao.

“The five suspects are Bishop Esiri, aged 46; Wisdom James, aged 25; Ali Lucky, aged 23; Edwin Edos, aged 22; and John Kofi Darlington aged 20, with suspect Danu Peter, aged 19, being the only Ghanaian among the second group.

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“The team retrieved several exhibits including laptop computers, mobile phones, internet routers, 120 pre-registered SIM cards and a Nigeria registered ML 350 Mercedes Benz with registration number Lagos LSR 138HR.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects used the fraudulent AI-generated contents to fraudulently solicit money and sensitive personal information from unsuspecting members of the public through online platforms.

“It was further established that the suspects are part of a wider network engaged in the creation and dissemination of fraudulent digital contents designed to impersonate high-profile personalities for financial gains.

“In court yesterday (6th May, 2026), nine out of the 11 suspects were remanded into police custody to reappear on 25th May, 2026, while two, Thomas Ayoyo and Louis Segbawu were granted bail with two sureties to be justified.”

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PHOTOS: Nigerian man arrested in Thailand for cocaine trafficking

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Tourist police have arrested a Nigerian man for allegedly selling cocaine in Phuket, Thailand.

The suspect identified as Samuel Egbujonuma Silas, was arrested in cocaine sting operation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, after an undercover investigation targeting foreign suspects linked to drug sales in the resort town.

Officers seized more than 10 grams of cocaine from Silas at a clothing store in Patong and found he had overstayed his visa by 550 days, police said.

He was charged with possession and intent to sell a Category 2 narcotic (cocaine) and overstaying his visa.

The suspect was transfered to Patong Police Station for prosecution.

Pol Lt Gen Saksira Puek-am said he ordered the crackdown to address offences committed by foreigners.

Investigators used undercover agents to infiltrate groups suspected of selling narcotics in the area.

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