Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Mazi Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based self-acclaimed disciple of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has been released by the police in Finland.
Ekpa was released hours after he was reportedly arrested and grilled by the Finish police for yet to be disclosed crime.
But his arrest might not be unconnected with his threat to prevent elections in the South-East on Saturday and March 11.
He was arrested and escorted by the police out of his apartment in Lahti earlier on Thursday.
The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed Ekpa’s release on Thursday, according to HS reports.
The police claimed that its operation in Lahti and the subsequent arrest of the pro-Biafra agitator were in connection with the ongoing preliminary investigation.
In a phone interview, Tommi Reen from the Central Criminal Police told HS that, “The person being questioned today is suspected of a crime. We will return to the title on Friday.”
The Finnish Embassy in Abuja had confirmed Ekpa’s arrest to newsmen.
An official source said, “It is our understanding that he is currently in police custody in Finland.”
“According to information available to us, the image is verified by Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish newspaper; in it, Ekpa is seen being escorted out of his home in Lahti by plainclothes Finnish police,” the source further stated.
Prior to his eventual arrest and subsequent release, Nigerians worldwide, had signed a petition appealing to the Finnish government, Nigerian Government and the European Union to arrest Ekpa.
IPOB had since disowned Ekpa over his militant approach to the Biafra agitation.
