The Federal Government has welcomed the landmark judgment of the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, which on Monday sentenced Simon Ekpa, a self-styled pro-Biafra agitator, to six years’ imprisonment for terrorism offences.
The government said the ruling stands as a watershed moment, not only for the countless innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods were brutally disrupted by the reign of terror incited and financed by Simon Ekpa and his collaborators, but also for the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland.
A statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said for years, Simon Ekpa’s reckless incitement and orchestration of violence through IPOB terror activities unleashed unspeakable pain on Nigeria.
“Families shattered, businesses destroyed, children orphaned, and entire communities forced to live under fear. Hundreds of lives were lost, and many more maimed, in pursuit of a destructive and unlawful agenda that sought to undermine the peace, unity, and sovereignty of our nation.
“By upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served, the Finnish judiciary has not only vindicated Nigeria’s consistent position on this matter but also sent a clear signal to extremists everywhere that the world is watching, and justice will catch up with those who seek to destabilize societies through terror,” the statement added.
The Tinubu administration, the minister stressed, remains unshakable in its resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect the dignity of every citizen, pledging to continue mobilizing diplomatic, military, and judicial resources to preserve peace and unity.
The government urged all those influenced by Simon Ekpa to abandon violence and embrace peace, while also appreciating Nigeria’s security agencies and citizens for their resilience and sacrifices in protecting the nation.
