By Our Reporter
The Federal Government has applauded the conviction of Simon Ekpa, a self-styled Biafra agitator, by a Finnish court, describing it as a decisive step towards justice and peace.
The Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on Monday sentenced Ekpa to six years’ imprisonment for terrorism-related offences, a ruling Nigeria said validates its long-standing concerns about his role in fueling violence across the country.
For years, Ekpa, who is linked with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was accused of masterminding violent campaigns that disrupted lives, destroyed businesses, and destabilized communities, leaving a trail of deaths and hardship.
According to the government, the judgment represents a watershed moment not only for the victims of Ekpa’s activities but also for strengthening diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Finland.
“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.
“We will continue to mobilize every resource, diplomatic, military, and judicial, to preserve the peace, unity, and territorial integrity of our country,” it added.
The Tinubu administration said the ruling underscores its unshakable resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty while urging those misled by Ekpa and his collaborators to lay down their arms and embrace peace.
“Nigeria is big enough for all its people, but there can be no progress where violence and division prevail.
“Their service and the resilience of the Nigerian people remain the backbone of our enduring unity.”
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