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DHQ Hails Simon Ekpa’s Arrest In Finland, Seeks Extradition To Nigeria

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The Defence Headquarters has commended the Finnish authorities for arresting separatist leader Simon Ekpa, describing the development as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

In separate statements, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, and Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, lauded the arrest as a crucial victory. Both spokespersons highlighted the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa’s, satisfaction with the action.

“The CDS is pleased with his arrest in Finland, expressing hope that it will pave the way for his extradition to Nigeria to face justice,” Brigadier General Gusau stated on Thursday.

Similarly, Major General Buba emphasized that the arrest underscores international collaboration in combating terrorism. “The CDS has persistently advocated for Simon Ekpa’s apprehension due to his significant role in fueling terrorism in southeastern Nigeria. We are thrilled by this development and grateful for the international community’s support,” he added.

Background of Simon Ekpa’s Case

On March 23, the Defence Headquarters declared Simon Ekpa wanted for inciting violence in Nigeria’s South-East region. He was listed alongside 96 other individuals accused of terror-related activities nationwide.

Ekpa was apprehended on Thursday in Finland, alongside four others, over allegations of terrorism, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism. A district court in Lahti, Finland, has ordered his remand on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent in Nigeria. The charges reportedly trace back to August 23, 2021.

Allegations Against Ekpa

Ekpa, a vocal proponent of separatist propaganda tied to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is accused of using social media platforms to incite violence and promote secession in Nigeria’s South-East. The Finnish authorities have also previously investigated him for financial crimes, including soliciting funds through dubious means.

This arrest signals growing international cooperation in addressing terrorism and reinforces Nigeria’s efforts to curtail violence and extremism.

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BREAKING: 20 suspects arrested over hacking of 2025 UTME results

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The Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigerian Police Force, have arrested at least 20 suspects over hacking of the 2025 computer-based test, CBT, Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.

The 2025 UTME was conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.

According to reports, the suspects are part of a syndicate believed to have over 100 persons who specialise in hacking of the computer servers of examination bodies like JAMB and the National Examinations Council, NECO.

The report also confirmed that the suspects have confessed to sabotaging the CBT system in order to discredit JAMB and discourage students from using CBT for future examinations to be conducted by NECO and the West African Examination Council, WAEC.

“The syndicate would install an attacking software on the examination body hardware. The software, in turn, would remotely hack JAMB servers at any targeted CBT centre,” the source quoted one of the suspect as confessing.

The entire hacking process was to influence high scores for special candidates who paid between N700,000 and N2 million.

The report further added that preliminary investigations revealed that several members of the syndicate own private schools and colleges, and make huge sums of money from their special centres.

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JUST IN: IGP condemns unprovoked attack on IRT operatives in Edo State

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….Orders Investigation into Oyo Tragic Traffic Incident‎‎

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has condemned the recent unprovoked attacks on police operatives in the early hours of Monday, 20th May 2025, at Okhuimwun Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.‎‎

In a press statement made available to Ohibaba.com, and signed by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, ‎Force public relations officer, ‎at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, ‎on the 21st May, 2025, the IGP also condemned the alleged killing of an SSCE student by police personnel in Ibadan.

The statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the unprovoked attack on police operatives in the early hours of Monday, 20th May 2025, at Okhuimwun Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

‎‎The operatives, who are members of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), were in transit from Lagos through Edo State when they encountered a mob that had blocked the road immediately after the University of Benin (UNIBEN) axis.

The mob, in an unlawful display of aggression, descended on the officers with stones, sticks, and other dangerous objects, inflicting serious injuries on two police personnel.

‎‎It is noteworthy that despite the provocation and threat to life, the officers exercised commendable restraint by not resorting to the use of force.

The injured officers are currently receiving medical attention and are in stable condition.

‎‎The Nigeria Police Force warns against acts of lawlessness and unprovoked aggression against its personnel who are committed to maintaining law and order and hereby assure the public that investigations have commenced, and appropriate legal actions will be taken against those found culpable.

‎‎In a separate development, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into a tragic incident in Oyo State involving personnel of the Oyo State Police Command and the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA), which led to the unfortunate demise of a 14-year-old boy, Kehinde Alade.‎‎

The Inspector-General of Police condemned the incident and assured that the officer involved in the shooting has been taken into custody while a full-scale investigation is underway.

He equally reiterated that the process will be transparent, and its findings will be made public to ensure justice is duly served as he expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased young man.

‎‎The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges citizens to remain law-abiding and to channel grievances through lawful and peaceful means.‎‎‎

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JUST IN: ICPC uncovers account used for six-week degree scam

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered a bank account operated by a foreign national allegedly used to collect payments from Nigerians seeking to obtain a questionable six-week bachelor’s degree abroad.

The discovery was announced by ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, during a stakeholders’ advocacy event on asset tracing, recovery and management held Tuesday in Abuja.

The event was organised by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), with support from the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

“Within some weeks, we were able to discover that a foreigner opened an account in Nigeria while Nigerian students were paying money into the account to obtain that six-week degree,” Aliyu revealed.

“We were able to track the account and obtain a civil forfeiture order. We have been trying to ensure that the culprits are brought to book, especially those that are beyond our shores.”

He called for greater synergy among anti-corruption agencies to ensure that perpetrators of financial crimes are not allowed to enjoy the proceeds of their actions.

Also at the event, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Bello, disclosed that an ongoing audit of over 10,000 public servants’ asset declarations has revealed that about 20 percent of them are false.

On a broader continental scale, the Director-General of GIABA, Edwin Harris, lamented the growing trend of illicit financial flows out of Africa.

Citing a report by former South African President Thabo Mbeki under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Harris noted that while $50 billion was previously estimated to be lost annually, the current figure now stands between $88 billion and $94 billion.

CeFTPI Executive Director, Umar Yakubu, said the event brought together key stakeholders from anti-graft institutions, civil society, the judiciary and international partners to develop innovative mechanisms for transparency, citizen engagement and accountability in asset recovery efforts.

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