The federal government of Nigeria on Monday warmly received the Päijät-Häme District Court’s decision in Finland, which sentenced Simon Njoku Ekpa, a known pro-Biafra agitator, to six years imprisonment on terrorism-related charges. The sentencing came nearly ten months after Ekpa was apprehended in Finland.
Simon Ekpa, a prominent figure within the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was detained on November 21, 2024, under allegations linked to terror activities.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued a statement from Abuja, declaring the ruling “a landmark development” that not only brings relief to victims but also strengthens diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Finland. He stressed that for years, Ekpa’s inflammatory rhetoric and coordination of violence have shattered families, crippled businesses, orphaned children, and instilled fear throughout communities.
The minister stated that hundreds have lost their lives, and many more have been maimed pursuing a destructive agenda meant to destabilize Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty. He praised the Finnish judiciary for upholding justice and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to combating extremism globally.
He assured that all necessary resources, diplomatic, military, and judicial, would be deployed to maintain peace and unity across the nation.
Idris urged immediate disarmament and cooperation in the pursuit of peace, to those misled by Ekpa and similar figures.
The statement in addition also extended hearty thanks to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police for their relentless efforts in securing the country amid complex threats.
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