The Federal Government has commended the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland for sentencing Simon Ekpa, a self-styled pro-Biafra agitator, to six years’ imprisonment for terrorism offences.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government described the ruling as “a watershed moment for countless innocent Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods were brutally disrupted by the reign of terror incited and financed by Ekpa and his collaborators.”

The minister noted that for years, Ekpa’s reckless incitement and orchestration of violence through IPOB terror activities unleashed untold pain on Nigeria.

“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 read.

According to the government, the judgement not only validates Nigeria’s long-standing position on the matter but also strengthens bilateral relations between Nigeria and Finland.

“By upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served, the Finnish judiciary has vindicated Nigeria’s stance and sent a clear signal to extremists everywhere: the world is watching, and justice will catch up with those who seek to destabilize societies through terror.”

The statement further reiterated that the Tinubu administration remained unwavering in its commitment 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,” it said.

Finally, the government urged all those misled by Simon Ekpa and others to immediately lay down their arms and embrace peace.