The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Monday welcomed the six-year jail sentence handed to Simon Ekpa by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, describing it as a significant milestone in the global campaign against terrorism and violent extremism.
The court convicted Ekpa, 40, of multiple offences, including participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit terrorist crimes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act. He was ordered to remain in custody.
In a statement released by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the CDS said the ruling reaffirmed the principle that those who incite or sponsor terrorism would face justice regardless of jurisdiction.
“This judgment sends a strong message that there is no safe haven for individuals or groups who sponsor or encourage acts of terror against Nigeria or any other sovereign state.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria commend the Finnish authorities for their diligence in ensuring justice is served,” Musa stated.
Musa praised the role of Nigerian security agencies, intelligence operatives, law enforcement bodies, and diplomats, stressing that their coordinated evidence-sharing provided the foundation for the conviction. He said the case highlighted how cross-border collaboration can dismantle extremist operations that exploit international boundaries.
He also underscored Nigeria’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with global institutions in order to disrupt terrorist financing networks, prosecute extremist leaders abroad, and ensure accountability for attacks that undermine national sovereignty.
Calling for domestic vigilance, the defence chief urged Nigerians to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations and resist the influence of violent separatist movements.
According to THE WHISTLER’s earlier report, the Finnish court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa used social media to agitate for the independence of Biafra in southeastern Nigeria through unlawful means.
“He used social media to gain a politically influential position and took advantage of confusion within a separatist movement in Nigeria to play a significant role in it,” the court stated.
