On December 3, 2024, an X user @ngoziora posted a screenshot from a WhatsApp message, with the caption ‘Breaking: Finland confirms the declaration and independence of the United States of Biafra headed by PM Simon Ekpa.’
The caption also contained a link to a news article https://yle.fi/a/74-20128728 and tags to over 30 prominent personalities’ X account. As of the time this report was published, it has gained over 62,000 views, 353 replies, over 2,000 repostsand quotes, over 3,100 likes and 87 bookmarks. This same WhatsApp screenshot was also posted on Facebook, here.
VERIFICATION
Recall that Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, was arrested and detained on November 21. Ekpa was arrested alongside four others on suspicion of terrorist activities and expected to face charges in May 2025. Ekpa and his acolytes remain in custody as the Finnish legal system does not permit bail for suspects accused of terrorist activities. Before he was arrested, Ekpa had publicised his intentions on social media to declare a Sovereign Biafra Nation on December 2, 2024.
The fact-checker conducted a google search with the keywords ‘Finland declares Biafra’s independence’ and results showed that there was no official declaration made on Biafra by the Finnish government. Also, a search through social media revealed no such declaration made by the finnish government
The only declaration made was by some members of the Biafra Republic in Exile, BRGIE and their supporters at a conference held in Lahti, Finland on November 29. At the Finland convention, the group of self-proclaimed Biafrans declared the independence of Biafra from Nigeria. This is contained in the article referenced in the claim posted on X and Facebook.
CONCLUSION
The claim that Finland confirmed and declared the independence of Biafra is FALSE. The Finnish government has not made any such declarations regarding the matters involving Biafra. Self-proclaimed Biafrans declared the independence of Biafra from Nigeria at a convention recently held in Lahti, Finland.
