The Federal Government of Nigeria has lauded the landmark judgment delivered by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, which recently sentenced Simon Ekpa, a self-styled pro-Biafra agitator, to six years’ imprisonment for various terrorism offences. The ruling, announced on Monday, was met with strong commendation from Nigeria, with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issuing a statement highlighting its significance.

Minister Idris described the judgment as a watershed moment, not only for the countless innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods have been severely disrupted by the terror incited and financed by Ekpa and his collaborators, but also for the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland. For years, Ekpa’s reckless incitement and orchestration of violence through activities linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have unleashed unspeakable pain across Nigeria’s South-East region, resulting in shattered families, destroyed businesses, orphaned children, and entire communities living under perpetual fear. Hundreds of lives were lost and many more were maimed in pursuit of a destructive and unlawful agenda aimed at undermining the peace, unity, and sovereignty of the Nigerian nation.

According to Finnish law enforcement, Ekpa, who refers to himself as the self-declared Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, utilized social media platforms to incite violence, targeting both civilians and government authorities in Nigeria's South-East. The Finland Court had previously ordered Ekpa to be held in custody on charges of public incitement before the final sentencing for terrorism-related crimes, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.

The Federal Government emphasized that by upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice, the Finnish judiciary has not only vindicated Nigeria’s consistent position on this matter but has also sent a clear signal to extremists worldwide that their actions are monitored, and justice will ultimately prevail against those who seek to destabilize societies through terror. The Tinubu administration reaffirmed its unshakable resolve to defend Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect the dignity of every citizen, vowing to mobilize every resource—diplomatic, military, and judicial—to preserve the country's peace, unity, and territorial integrity.

In a related development, Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, reacted to the news on his X account (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to Finland by writing, “Thank you so much @thisisFINLAND.” This social media reaction further underscored Nigeria’s appreciation for the international cooperation.

The Federal Government had previously placed Ekpa and several other individuals and entities on the Nigeria Sanctions List in March 2025 for alleged involvement in terrorism financing. This decision, which followed recommendations by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee and was disclosed by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), empowers the government to impose sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to terror-related activities, in line with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), with the approval of President Bola Tinubu, authorized the designation of these individuals and entities.

The Federal Government concluded its statement by urging 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. It reiterated that Nigeria is big enough for all its people, but there can be no progress where violence and division prevail. Gratitude was also extended to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the security and intelligence agencies, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police for their unwavering efforts in securing the country.