A Finnish court jailing on Thursday Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Biafran independence movement, has elicited reactions home in Nigeria.
The district court of Päijät-Häme remanded Ekpa after the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested him alongside four other men over alleged terrorist offences, an action the self-declared Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in exile allegedly committed in 2021 in Lahti municipality.
Reacting to the news, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, described the arrest of Ekpa as a huge relief for the Ndigbo, his Nigerian ethnic stock.
The organization said Ekpa’s arrest marked a significant milestone in the collective journey towards healing and reconciliation.
The Nigerian military, also, expressed satisfaction about the development.
In a statement by the Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group noted that arrest and detention of Ekpa was expected to resolve the pervasive insecurity challenges that have beleaguered Southeastern Nigeria for far too long.
Isiguzoro added that Ekpa’s intention to publicly declare a Sovereign Biafra Nation on December 2, 2024 was not only misguided but indicative of a reckless disregard for the profound consequences such a declaration would evoke.
“His intentions could have sparked uncontrollable civil unrest and perhaps culminated in another Biafran War, a prospect that the Igbo people have conclusively rejected and remain unprepared to engage in.
“The echoes of the previous conflict, which left indelible scars on our history, stand as a stark reminder of the devastation war brings.
“Upon this crucial arrest, Ohanaeze Ndigbo categorically denounces the notion that individuals like Simon Ekpa possess the capability or legitimacy to summon the Igbo Nation into a conflict.
“This organisation acknowledges Ekpa’s disturbing record over the last three years, wherein he has systematically wreaked havoc upon the very fabric of our society and economy, implementing his illegitimate Monday Sit-At-Home directive with the aid of armed men, who have terrorised our communities.
“The financial toll from these activities is staggering, amounting to a loss of over 22 trillion naira in investment opportunities, thereby stifling the economic viability of our region.”
Ohanaeze said it was erstwhile felt suspicious about the Finnish government’s inaction regarding Simon Ekpa’s activities these past years.
Ohanaeze said: “As a Finnish citizen, he exploited the freedoms offered within that society to orchestrate broadcasts that incited violence and animosity against the very nation in which he resides.
“It is a matter of profound concern for all of us that mercenaries, veiled as agitators, infringe upon our quest for peace while undermining our autonomy.”
The Finnish police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while “four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.
The Finnish government had Tuesday said it had started acting on the complaint by the Nigerian government against a Nigerian – Finnish citizen, Simon Ekpa, accused of leading brutal pro-Biafra secessionist campaigns in Nigeria’s South-east region.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Elina Valtonen, said in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, during a press conference she addressed alongside her Nordic counterparts, that Mr Ekpa’s case was now before Finnish courts.
“We have taken this up and discussed this with the Nigerian authorities… and the entire process is within our judicial system,” Ms Valtomen said, informing the gathering that the issue came up during a meeting with Nigerian government officials on Tuesday.
The Nigerian military, through the Director Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the High Command of the Nigerian military was elated about the development.
“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa, has always called for the arrest of Simon Ekpa following his deep involvement in fueling terrorism in South-east Nigeria. We are delighted about his arrest,” he said.
