The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended Finland following the conviction of Simon Ekpa, a self-styled pro-Biafra agitator, who was on Monday sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland for terrorism offences.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 1, 2025, by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described the ruling as a “watershed moment” for Nigeria and for international justice.
According to the Federal Government, the judgment not only delivers justice to victims of violence linked to Ekpa but also strengthens bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland.
“This ruling stands as a watershed moment – not only for the countless innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods have been brutally disrupted by the reign of terror incited and financed by Ekpa and his collaborators—but also for the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland,” the statement read.
The government recalled that for years, Ekpa’s actions fueled terror through IPOB activities, leaving devastating consequences across communities in the South-East.
“For years, Ekpa’s reckless incitement and orchestration of violence through IPOB terror activities unleashed unspeakable pain: 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,” the statement added.
Nigeria maintained that the conviction validates its long-standing position on Ekpa and sends a strong warning to extremists globally.
“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 government said.
The Tinubu-led administration reassured Nigerians that it would continue to defend the country’s sovereignty and safeguard its people.
“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,” the statement noted.
Calling on those still under the influence of Ekpa’s propaganda, the Federal Government urged them to embrace peace.
“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,” Idris stated.
The government also expressed gratitude to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police for their sacrifices in safeguarding the nation.
“Their service and the resilience of the Nigerian people remain the backbone of our enduring unity,” it added.
Concluding, the government enjoined all Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to work together for peace, unity, and the security of the country.
