Finland Jails Simon Ekpa for Terrorism, Nigerian Government Hails Verdict as Historic

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Federal Government has hailed the six-year jail term handed to Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed pro-Biafra agitator, by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, describing the ruling as a decisive moment in the fight against terrorism.

The court, on Monday, found Ekpa guilty of terrorism-related offences, a verdict Nigeria says vindicates its long-standing position that his incitement and funding of violence through the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) caused widespread bloodshed and destruction in the country.

In a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government stressed that Ekpa’s actions left “families shattered, businesses destroyed, children orphaned, and entire communities forced to live under fear.” The minister noted that hundreds of Nigerians were killed or maimed due to the violence allegedly masterminded from abroad.

“The Finnish judiciary has upheld the rule of law and proven that justice eventually catches up with those who destabilize societies through terror,” Idris declared. He added that the ruling also strengthens bilateral ties between Nigeria and Finland.

The Tinubu administration, according to the statement, reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and unity, pledging to deploy diplomatic, military, and judicial measures to safeguard citizens.

The government urged individuals misled by Ekpa to abandon violence and embrace peace, warning that Nigeria “is big enough for all its people, but there can be no progress where violence and division prevail.”

It also praised the Nigerian Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the police, and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their resilience in countering insecurity.

Calling the verdict a turning point, the government appealed to Nigerians at home and abroad to work together for peace and unity.