The new Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin, has disclosed that the activities of pro-Biafra activist, Simon Ekpa, in the South-east of Nigeria, from her country, Finland, was detrimental to the bilateral relationship between the two Countries.
The Ambassador spoke at the State House, Abuja, on Friday while presenting her Letters of credence to President Bola Tinubu. She expressed satisfaction that with Ekpa under custody in Finland over sundry allegations including terrorism, kidnappings, killings and economic sabotage in the South-east, where ironically, the Finland-based Nigerian comes from.
Ekpa, who has since obtained the citizenship of Finland, was a member of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and a self-proclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, detained Leader of IPOB, until he fell out both with IPOB and Kanu over his alleged mode of operation which IPOB said did not agree with its rules.
From Finland, Ekpa, using his group, identified as Autopilots, was issuing orders to his loyalists in the South-east, which include, but not limited to, forced sit-at-home orders which most times, turned violent, and crippled, almost, the economy of the hard of the Zone and reduced its hardworking people to idlers.
President Tinubu, who couldn’t hide his appreciation to the Finnish Government for finally intervening and arresting Ekpa after several complaints from the Nigerian Government
Praised Finland’s efforts in the arrest and prosecution of Ekpa.
The President described Ekpa’s arrest as an important step in maintaining Nigeria’s peace and unity.
Tinubu to the Ambassador: “I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism.
“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.
“The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means. The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals and values. We must respect the rule of law.”
The relieved Ambassador commended President Tinubu’s courage in initiating reforms which she said will, ultimately, benefit Nigeria’s economy and ensure a rosy future. She acknowledged that the activities of Ekpa were obstacles to Nigeria’s relationship with Finland.
Her words: “Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now, and the National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence.”
Simon Ekpa, 39, was arrested om November 22, by the Finnish National Investigation Bureau. He is being prosecuted by the Finnish Police. He was arrested alongside four others, two of whom, allegedly, have, recently, been released. Ekpa, who is still in prison custody,
declared himself the Prime Minister of the Biafra Government In Exile (BRIGE).
The Finnish Police allege that Ekpa “has contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in South-eastern Nigeria.”
The Nigerian Government says it has a mountain of evidence to nail Ekpa.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
