Crime
FINLAND: Simon Ekpa moved to the toughest prison, shares wing with killers, rapists
Remanded leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, is being held at the Kylmäkoski vankila (Kylmäkoski prison), one of the world’s toughest prisons.
The high security prison is in Vanhamaantie, Akaa, Finland.
The Finnish government had announced the arrest of Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
The Finnish police confirmed that Ekpa, who described himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, allegedly used social media to promote violence in the South-East region, targeting civilians and authorities.
According to local publication, Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
It was gathered that the Finnish government had frozen Ekpa’s assets, as well as those of companies associated with him and four of his accomplices, who are also in remand.
Yle, in a report, stated that Ekpa is being held in the Kylmäkoski vankila.
The Head of International Communications of Yle, Mika Ojamies, in response to enquiries from our correspondent, also confirmed that the suspect was in the prison.Kylmäkoski vankila: Finland’s toughest prison.
The Kylmäkoski vankila was built in 1993 for male prisoners.
The facility, which is known for accommodating people who have committed serious crimes, including violent suspects and sex offenders, is the largest closed-unit facility in Finland.
The prison currently houses 113 prisoners, mostly convicts and remand inmates.
The Kylmäkoski vankila was featured in a 2023 Netflix documentary series, Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons.
A journalist, Raphael Rowe, entered the wards and interacted with some of the inmates, including the most dangerous criminals in Finland.
Among the inmates interviewed were Toni, Olli, Michael, Danny, and Jani, who had histories of violence and crime.
Two of the inmates, Toni and Olli, were notorious for their brutal actions, and did not show remorse for their crimes during the conversation with Rowe.
Another inmate, identified as Antti, told the reporter about the ‘lizard wing,’ a section created for dangerous inmates, particularly sex offenders and informants.
The inmates warned that in prison, people mind their business—but not when it comes to sexual offenders.
“If you’re some sexual offenders, or something… paedophile, you get knocked the f**k out,” Jani stated.
In the documentary, one inmate was moved to a different wing after punching a new prisoner who had snitched on him years earlier.
Some prisoners recounted their violent acts, including one who shot his brother’s killer in the head, an 18-year-old boy who stabbed a man in the neck, and another inmate who ran over a person with a car before shooting the person with a bow.
In a different case, a 50-year-old prisoner stated that he had been convicted 11 times in Finland, six times in Sweden, twice in Denmark, and once in Norway, spending a total of 23 years in prison for various violent crimes, including two murders.
Power in the prison is often tied to the possession of drugs.
One prisoner confirmed that the man with the most drugs becomes the ‘king’ of the prison.
Most of the prisoners are heavily tattooed, with their massive, frames making them even more intimidating.
With their intimidating appearances and violent histories, the prisoners in Kylmakoski show no remorse for their crimes.
Most of the prisoners committed crimes while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, making them even more dangerous.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 75 civilians from Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
Addressing newsmen on Monday during the victims’ handover to the Borno State government in Maiduguri, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. W. Shaibu stated that the rescued individuals comprised seven adult males, 34 women, and 34 children.
The GOC, represented by the Deputy Theater Commander, Brig. Gen. A.L. Akpodu explained that the civilians were rescued during a clearance operation conducted by the 21 Special Armored Brigade and the 199 Special Forces Battalion under Operation Desert Sanity IV in Sambisa Forest.
“As part of our ongoing clearance efforts, troops of the 21 Special Armored Brigade and the 199 Special Forces Battalion recently carried out successful offensive operations in Sambisa Forest,” he said.
“Key terrorist enclaves in Ukuba, Ujimla, Sabil Huda, Garin, Fajula, and Gobara were cleared, leading to the rescue of 75 civilians, including seven adult males, 34 women, and 34 children,” he added.
He further noted that the military destroyed several insurgent facilities during the operation.
“The operation significantly degraded enemy capabilities by neutralising insurgents and destroying command and logistics bases, makeshift shelters, weapon caches, and IED-making materials,” he said.
The rescued civilians have received medical and psychological support and are now set to be handed over to the Borno State government.
Receiving the victims on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, commended the troops for their gallantry in the fight against insurgency.
“We are taking them to our rehabilitation centre, where they will receive livelihood support, counseling services, mental health and psychosocial support, and educational services for the children.
We will ensure they are well reintegrated before releasing them back into society,” she said.
Crime
Just In: FG freezes bank accounts of Simon Ekpa, 16 others for terrorism financing
The individuals and entities were recommended for designation by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee during a meeting that was held in Abuja on Thursday.
The federal government, on Thursday freezed the banks accounts of Simon Ekpa and 16 others for their “involvement in terrorism financing”.
According to the Daily Trust, the individuals and entities were recommended for designation by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee during a meeting that was held in Abuja on Thursday.
The outcome of the meeting, which was disclosed to journalists by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), stated that the development was by Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The anti-graft unit explained that the Attorney-General of the Federation, with the approval of the President, said that they must be thereupon designated to be listed on the Nigeria Sanctions List.
The headquarters of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) was stormed by military personnel on Thursday morning, causing chaos at the facility.
According to The Punch, eyewitness reports that the armed officers, dressed in military uniforms, arrived at the premises opposite MITV in Ikeja, Lagos, around 7:40 am.
Employees and other individuals present at the office were allegedly subjected to physical assault by the invaders.
At the time of this report, the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Although the police have intervened, the armed personnel, reportedly led by a female officer, have refused to back down.
Air Force Personnel Assault Journalist, Seize Phone After Storming Ikeja Electric Office
Armed personnel from the Air Force Base in Ikeja, Lagos, reportedly assaulted a PUNCH Newspapers correspondent, Dare Olawin, during an incident at the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) headquarters on Thursday morning.
The attack occurred around 7:40 a.m. when the military officers stormed the DisCo’s office, located opposite MITV in Ikeja.
Olawin had arrived at the premises to join other journalists scheduled to travel to Adiyan, Ogun State, for the unveiling of a solar project.
According to eyewitnesses, the Air Force personnel spotted Olawin, a TVC cameraman, and another reporter inside a coaster bus.The journalists were forcibly removed, beaten, and made to sit on the ground.
The officers also confiscated Olawin’s Android phone, a small Itel phone, and a white power bank, threatening to shoot him if he spoke.
The military team, led by a female officer, reportedly took control of the IKEDC headquarters for over an hour and a half, assaulting staff and other individuals present.
They also blocked roads leading to the premises, preventing movement and allowing them to operate without interference.
Sources revealed that the attack was linked to the disconnection of electricity at the Air Force Base.
The officers later left the DisCo’s office, taking along engineers and drivers, whom they allegedly intended to force into reconnecting power to their barracks.
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