From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has commended the Finnish Central Criminal Police for the arrest of Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa is said to be responsible for the insecurity in the South East part of the country, where several persons, including military and security personnel, have been killed, and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
The CDS, who has consistently called for Ekpa’s arrest, expressed hope that he would be extradited to Nigeria to face justice.
The Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, made this known in a WhatsApp message in response to journalists’ questions about the military’s reaction to Ekpa’s arrest.
According to General Buba, “The CDS has always called for the arrest of Simon Ekpa following his deep involvement in fueling terrorism in SE Nigeria.
“We are delighted about his arrest and glad that the international community is partnering with Nigeria in our fight against terrorism.”
Also reacting to Ekpa’s arrest, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said:
“CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.”
Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, was arrested in Finland alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing, on Thursday.
According to local publication Ye, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The publication reported that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, noting that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.