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The Nigerian government has officially acknowledged its involvement in the capture of Simon Ekpa, a separatist leader based in Finland, who has been a key figure in advocating for the division of the southeastern region from the rest of the country.
On Thursday, Finnish authorities apprehended Simon Ekpa, charging him with inciting acts of terrorism and actively promoting violence in Nigeria. His arrest, which took place under the jurisdiction of Finnish law enforcement, stems from his alleged role in fueling unrest and encouraging separatist activities within Nigeria.
The federal government confirmed on Friday that Simon Ekpa’s arrest was achieved after sustained diplomatic efforts, with pressure from Nigerian officials playing a crucial role in compelling Finnish authorities to act. This underscores the significance of diplomatic channels in resolving security concerns tied to international figures.
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Kimiebi Ebienfa, the acting spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed the government’s message in an official statement, shedding light on the significant developments related to the arrest of Simon Ekpa.
“The arrest of Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa follows sustained diplomatic pressure by the Nigerian government on Finland, to take action against his activities, which were linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria.
“The request for action featured during high-level engagements between countries.
“The Ministry wishes to affirm that the arrest of Mr. Simon Ekpa, is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralizing the influence of transnational actors and their impact on our national security.
“The Ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses.”