Nigerians have responded positively on social media to the arrest by the Finnish government of Simon Ekpa, the self-described leader of the Eastern Security Network for terrorism.
On social media, his detention has sparked reactions from a variety of organisations and individuals who primarily blame Ekpa for the turmoil in southeast Nigeria.
Former Minister of aviation ,Femi Fani Kayode said “The arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa by the Finnish authorities for terrorism-related charges and inciting terrorism in Nigeria is good news”.
“Not only is this misguided young man a feral pyscopath, a hate-filled sociopath, a notorious coward and a man of blood but he is also a religious bigot, an unrepentant racist, an ethnic supremacist and an enemy of humanity”.
“ He derived pleasure from killing and torturing our people and he waged war on our nation from the safety of Finland”.
“Many innocent Nigerians were killed on his orders and as a consequence of his foul and divisive rhetoric. I hope this serves as a lesson to others in our nation who believe that division, violence & terror are the only way forward and who have no respect for the sanctity of human life”.
A user @drpenking who is happy about the arrest said “Simon Ekpa thought he was invincible. Your years of terror has ended”.
“Simon Ekpa believed he was unbeatable” according to user @drpenking, who expressed happiness about the arrest. “Your years of fear are over”.
He also mocked Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria, adding, “Dear Simon Ekpa supporters, don’t be sad.” The Nigerian government does not intend to cause harm. They simply want to bring Simon Ekpa closer to home so that he can better carry out his prime ministerial duties.”
Simon Ekpa’s “Sit at Home” movement has started, according to another user @MichaelCBernard, who accused Ekpa of causing suffering to the Igbo tribe. “The only difference is that he’s in prison this time instead of lounging at home. For the next many years, he would experience Mondays the way Ndi Igbo did. Karma is real; he would spend a week in jail for each day he “sat at home.”
“You don’t know how deep the knife went if you’re not angry at the atrocities Simon Ekpa committed against us,” unahbombah stated. Examine these figures to see the impact of Monday’s “Sit At Home” and the fear he inflicted on Igbo territory. We declined while every southern region made progress.
The Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, through Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, voiced his pleasure with Ekpa’s incarceration in relation to his arrest.
Musa said Ekpa’s actions have led to the loss of many lives while his “utterances” have caused significant harm to the country.
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The defence chief said the nation’s mission in Finland where Ekpa is based should step in by engaging the government of the European country.
He said, “The CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope that this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.
The CDS has always called for the arrest of Simon Ekpa following is deep involvement in fueling terrorism in SE Nigeria,” Buba said.
“We are delighted about his arrest, and glad that the international community is partnering with Nigerian in our fight against terrorism.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has expressed happiness, stating that it represents a critical turning point in the group’s path towards healing and reconciliation.
This was revealed by Ohanaeze on Thursday in a statement that was signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organization’s secretary general.
According to the statement, the arrest marks a watershed moment in the group’s journey to healing and reconciliation, as they remain unwavering in their commitment to promoting a unified Nigeria and a peaceful, prosperous Southeast in which everyone’s ideas are respected and valued.
On March 23, Ekpa was listed as wanted by the Defence Headquarters for instigating violence in the southeast region of Nigeria.
