The Federal Government has expressed satisfaction with the landmark judgment delivered by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, which on Monday sentenced Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed pro-Biafra agitator, to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences.
Describing the verdict as a pivotal moment, the government stated that the ruling not only brings a sense of justice to countless innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods were devastated by the violence allegedly incited and funded by Ekpa and his associates, but also marks a significant step forward in strengthening diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Finland.
In an official statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government condemned Simon Ekpa’s prolonged campaign of incitement and violent agitation, stating that his actions, carried out under the banner of IPOB, inflicted immense suffering on the Nigerian people.
”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 statement noted that the Tinubu administration remains unshakable in its resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect the dignity of every citizen.
“We will continue to mobilize every resource, diplomatic, military, and judicial, to preserve the peace, unity, and territorial integrity of our country,” it added.
“We urge all those who, under the misguidance of Simon Ekpa and others, have taken up arms against their fatherland to immediately lay them down and embrace the path of peace.
“Nigeria is big enough for all its people, but there can be no progress where violence and division prevail.
“The Federal Government also extends its profound gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the security and intelligence agencies, and the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigeria Police, whose sacrifices, courage, and commitment continue to secure our homeland in the face of daunting challenges.
“Their service and the resilience of the Nigerian people remain the backbone of our enduring unity.
“As we mark this turning point, the Federal Government enjoins all Nigerians, at home and abroad, to work together for national unity, peace, and security of the country.”
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