The Federal Government of Nigeria has lauded the recent judgment by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, which sentenced Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed pro-Biafra agitator, to six years’ imprisonment for various terrorism offences. This landmark ruling, delivered on Monday, marks a significant moment for Nigeria, as highlighted by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation. He described the judgment as a watershed, not only for the numerous innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods have been severely affected by the reign of terror incited and financed by Ekpa and his associates but also for the reinforcement of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Finland.

For an extended period, Ekpa has been implicated in the reckless incitement and orchestration of violence through activities linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), inflicting immense suffering across Nigerian communities. The Minister detailed the devastating impact: families torn apart, businesses obliterated, children orphaned, and entire communities forced to endure a constant state of fear. He emphasized that hundreds of lives were tragically lost, and many more were maimed, all in pursuit of a destructive and unlawful agenda aimed at destabilizing the peace, unity, and sovereignty of the Nigerian nation.

Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, also reacted positively to the news of Ekpa's sentencing. He took to his X account (formerly Twitter) to express gratitude to Finland for its actions, stating, “Thank you so much @thisisFINLAND.” Finnish law enforcement confirmed that Ekpa, who styles himself as the “self-declared Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile,” actively utilized social media platforms to incite violence within Nigeria’s South-East region. His targets included both civilians and government authorities, leading to charges of terrorism-related crimes, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism, for which he was previously held in custody by the Finland Court.

The Federal Government underscored that the Finnish judiciary, by upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice, has not only validated Nigeria’s consistent stance on this critical issue but also delivered a powerful message to extremists globally: that their actions are being monitored, and justice will inevitably be served against those who seek to destabilize societies through terror. The Tinubu administration reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and protecting the dignity of every citizen. It pledged to deploy all available resources—diplomatic, military, and judicial—to preserve the nation's peace, unity, and territorial integrity.

Furthermore, the Federal Government issued an appeal to all individuals who, under the misleading influence of Simon Ekpa and others, have resorted to violence against their homeland. It urged them to immediately cease their hostilities and embrace a path of peace, asserting that Nigeria is vast enough for all its people, but true progress cannot be achieved amidst violence and division. The government also extended its appreciation to key national institutions for their relentless efforts in securing the country. These include the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, various security and intelligence agencies, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police.

This sentencing follows earlier actions by the Federal Government, which in March 2025, placed Ekpa and several other individuals and entities on the Nigeria Sanctions List. This designation was for their alleged involvement in terrorism financing, based on recommendations from the Nigeria Sanctions Committee. This decision empowers the government, in accordance with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to terror-related activities. The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) had previously revealed that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), with President Bola Tinubu's approval, authorized the official designation of these individuals and entities, underscoring the comprehensive approach taken by Nigeria to combat terrorism and its financiers.