A faction of the apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, hailed the Federal Government for its commitment toward quelling the insecurity challenges plaguing the South-East, saying that the imprisonment of Simon Ekpa is a clear indication of its efforts.
In a statement in Abakaliki, the Deputy President General of the Ohanaeze faction, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that the incarceration of Ekpa in Finland for a six-year prison term over terrorism-related charges showed the government’s efforts in dismantling the reign of terror that has engulfed the South-East for some time now.
He recognised and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for their relentless efforts toward tackling the intractable insecurity in the region.
Isiguzoro further explained that their decisive actions have demonstrably diminished the pervasive influence of terrorism and insecurity in the region, adding that the resultant cessation of the disruptive “sit-at-home” orders, masterminded by Ekpa, represents a significant stride toward stability and progress.
“This development, marked by the Finnish government’s sentencing of Simon Ekpa, underscores the Igbo people’s resolute opposition to armed struggle under the guise of Biafra agitation.
“We unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms and reject any deviation from the principles of nonviolent self-determination,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has praised the conviction of Ekpa. Daniel, who is President of the Nigerian-Finnish Association, described the verdict on the pro-Biafra agitator as a decisive victory for international justice.
He commended the Finnish government and the Päijät-Häme District Court for “a resolute and judicious” sentencing.
Daniel added that the ruling goes beyond diplomacy, describing it as “tangible, impactful cooperation” that will shape Nigeria-Finland relations.
Also, lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has said that the conviction of Ekpa should serve as a “historic lesson” against fraud, violence and false prophecy.
Ejiofor, reacting to the judgment in a statement, praised the Finnish verdict and used the ruling to denounce Ekpa’s activities as a “fraudulent empire built on lies, violence, and exploitation.”
The IPOB lawyer stated that Ekpa’s actions, including the establishment of parallel organisations such as a self-styled “Biafra Liberation Army,” had misled vulnerable followers and tarnished the image of the peaceful global IPOB movement.
He contended that Ekpa was aided, both openly and discreetly, by individuals and groups whose mission was to derail the genuine struggle for self-determination, sow confusion, and ultimately reduce Igboland into a theatre of violence, bloodshed, and blackmail.
