The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday expressed delight over the arrest of Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, Simon Ekpa.
The military high command said it hopes the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will be extradited to the country to face charges against him.
Ekpa was arrested in Finland alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
Following his arrest, a local publication, Yle, reports that Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
It quoted the Finnish Central Criminal Police as confirming the arrests in a statement Thursday, noting that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said.
…What DHQ wants
Reacting to Ekpa’s arrest in a message to defence correspondents, Director Defence Media Operations Major-General Edward Buba said, “The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has always called for the arrest of Simon Ekpa following is deep involvement in fuelling terrorism in South East Nigeria.
“We are delighted about his arrest, and glad that the international community is partnering with Nigerian in our fight against terrorism.”
Similarly, Director Defence Information Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, said: “The Chief of Defence Staff (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.”
…Troops eliminate notorious terrorist commander
Also in a decisive victory against insurgency, Nigerian troops neutralised a notorious terrorist commander, Munzur Ya Audu, during a well-executed operation in the Northeast.
The military high command said the operation was part of ongoing military efforts to eradicate terrorism across the country.
Major General Buba, who disclosed while briefing journalists Thursday in Abuja, described the killing of Audu as a significant milestone in the country’s counter-terrorism campaign.
He emphasised the military’s unwavering resolve to take the fight to the terrorists’ enclaves.
“The aim of the armed forces in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency war remains to find and destroy terrorists and their cohorts wherever they may be hiding in our country,” he stated.
Buba highlighted that the operation that led to Audu’s elimination was intelligence-driven.
“We recognise the need to continue to act and respond forcefully against terrorists.
“Accordingly, we are collecting intelligence, hunting them, and striking locations in which they are confirmed to be hibernating. For instance, troops killed a notorious terrorist commander named Munzur Ya Audu in the NE through well executed operations” , he said.
…Other feats
The military chief said beyond the elimination of Audu, the military achieved other significant successes during the past week.
“Troops neutralised 115 insurgents and arrested 238 suspects linked to terrorism.
“Additionally, 138 kidnapped individuals were rescued, and logistics bases affiliated with terror groups were dismantled,” he said.
General Buba however, said that the military lost seven of its personnel in separate attacks in Borno and Abia states.
He further revealed that troops intercepted oil theft operations worth over ₦921 million in the South-south region while recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition, including 68 AK-47 rifles, three explosives, and over 3,800 assorted rounds of ammunition.
Highlighting the challenges of the campaign, Buba said: “We are at war against a cruel and vicious enemy. It is therefore imperative that we degrade their military capability and effectiveness. It is our pride as a force to place ourselves in harm’s way to protect our citizens.”
“Through targeted airstrikes and ground operations, the military continues to exert pressure on terrorist enclaves, advancing its mission to create a safer Nigeria,” he added.