Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has welcomed the conviction of separatist agitator Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court, describing the verdict as a landmark victory in the international campaign against terrorism and violent extremism.
The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti, Finland, sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison after finding him guilty of terrorism-related offences. Prosecutors said the charges stemmed from his activities aimed at reviving an independent state of Biafra, which briefly declared secession in Nigeria during the late 1960s.
In a statement issued by Defence spokesperson Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Musa said the ruling reaffirmed that no individual or group sponsoring terrorism against Nigeria would find refuge, regardless of geography. He stressed that the conviction demonstrated a collective commitment to ensuring that those who incite violence or finance insurgency are held accountable.
“The judgment delivered by the Päijät-Häme District Court represents a decisive step in the global fight against terrorism,” the statement read. “It reinforces the principle that those who fund, incite, or orchestrate violence against Nigeria will face justice, no matter where they are located.”
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Musa praised the collaborative efforts that led to Ekpa’s conviction, commending Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies, law enforcement bodies, and diplomats for providing critical evidence that supported the case. He said their input highlighted the strength of international cooperation in addressing cross-border threats.
The Defence Chief emphasized that the outcome demonstrated the power of shared intelligence and coordinated action, which remain vital in tackling the complex networks behind global terrorism.
He further assured that the Nigerian Armed Forces will continue to strengthen ties with international partners in dismantling terrorist organisations, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing security operations against insurgency and separatist violence.
According to Musa, the conviction serves as both a deterrent to other sponsors of violence and a reminder that terrorism, wherever orchestrated, will be met with accountability through lawful processes.