The Federal Government has praised the six-year prison sentence given to pro-Biafra activist Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court, calling it a significant achievement in Nigeria’s battle against terrorism.
On Monday, September 1, Finland’s Päijät-Häme District Court convicted Ekpa of inciting terrorist acts and associating with a terrorist group.
The court determined that from August 2021 to November 2024, he used his substantial social media presence to encourage violence and unrest throughout Nigeria’s South-Eastern region.
Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris responded to the ruling by describing the conviction as a “major victory in the war against terror.”
He shared his reaction on social media, stating that the news represented “a major victory for the Nigerian people in the collective fight against terror.”
Ekpa, who identifies himself as a follower of imprisoned IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, was instrumental in implementing the controversial sit-at-home orders across the South-East.
These orders resulted in civilian and security personnel deaths and created widespread fear throughout the region.
Following Kanu’s extradition to Nigeria in June 2021, Ekpa temporarily worked as a broadcaster for Radio Biafra before being removed for violating the station’s guidelines. He subsequently established his own separate faction.
Finnish authorities arrested him in November 2024 on charges of distributing terrorist propaganda online. By March 2025, the Nigerian government had formally classified him as a “terrorism financier.”
The Federal Government called the court ruling a “watershed moment” for both victims of IPOB-related violence and Nigeria-Finland diplomatic relations.
Officials stated that for years, Ekpa’s actions had caused tremendous suffering, destroying families, businesses, and communities while forcing people to live in constant fear.
The government commended Finland’s judicial system for maintaining legal standards and noted that the judgment confirms Nigeria’s position regarding Ekpa’s involvement in regional violence.
The administration also renewed President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty and encouraged anyone still armed under Ekpa’s influence to surrender their weapons and choose peace instead.
The government recognized the contributions of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Armed Forces, Police, intelligence services, and Ministry of Justice in their security efforts.
The Federal Government concluded by encouraging all Nigerians, whether living in the country or overseas, to collaborate in promoting peace, unity, and national security.
