At the State House in Abuja on Friday, President Bola Tinubu lauded the Finnish government for its decisive action in arresting Simon Ekpa, a prominent Biafra separatist leader.

Receiving the Letters of Credence from Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, President Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to national unity and its intolerance for actions that could sow division among Nigerians.

“We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” President Tinubu remarked, underscoring the nation’s resolve against divisive elements.

Simon Ekpa, a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen, has been a vocal advocate for the secession of the southeastern region of Nigeria. His arrest in Finland, alongside four others, was based on suspicions of inciting violence and promoting terrorist activities in Nigeria.

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation stated that the suspects had “furthered their efforts from Finland in such a way that has resulted in violence against civilians and public authorities and in other crimes in South-East Nigeria.”

The arrest has had tangible effects on Nigeria’s internal security. General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, noted that Ekpa’s detention has “significantly reduced the tension in the South-East part of Nigeria.”

Ambassador Selin acknowledged the complexities introduced by Ekpa’s actions, stating, “Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now.”

This development underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing issues that transcend borders.

As Nigeria continues to navigate its internal challenges, the support and cooperation of global partners like Finland play a crucial role in maintaining national unity and security.