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BREAKING: Finland Authorities Arrest IPOB Leader, Simon Ekpa

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Finland authorities on Thursday, arrested factional IPOB leader Simon Ekpa.

According to a Finnish news outlet, HS, the police escorted the separatist out of his apartment in Lahti.

The platform claims they had gone to Ekpa’s residence for an interview but to their surprise, the Finland police, KRP, answered when the HS team rang the separatist bell.

The HS said the KRP prevented their team from entering Ekpa’s apartment and said that the interview would be moved “to the future”.

When contacted, an official of the Finnish Embassy in Abuja who craves anonymity confirmed Ekpa’s arrest to The PUNCH on Thursday.

“It is our understanding that he is currently in police custody in Finland,” the official who is not authorised to speak to the press told The PUNCH.

“According to information available to us, the image is verified by Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish newspaper; in it, Ekpa is seen being escorted out of his home in Lahti by plainclothes Finnish police”, the official volunteered.

Before his eventual arrest on Thursday, Nigerians all over the world have signed a petition appealing to the Finnish government, Nigerian Government and the European Union to arrest Ekpa, the brain behind the sit-at-home order in the South-East.

Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, had repeatedly ordered the people of the South-East to observe a sit-at-home and asked them to boycott the country’s general elections billed for Saturday.

His repeated sit-at-home order has been marked by bloodshed and destruction of lives and properties in the region by its enforcers.

The Federal Government had summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, over “hate speech and incisive comments” by Ekpa.

At the meeting with Pylvanainen, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said Ekpa’s action was fast becoming a threat to the forthcoming election, and that the Federal Government would not take it lightly with him and the Finnish government if nothing drastic is done.

“We thought it was important for us to have this chat with you to let you know that, of course, he is living in the comfort of his home there in Finland and we know that we have been in touch with your good self.

“We have had some time to ensure that we arrest this situation but it appears the situation is getting out of hand. And we are saying enough is enough. We should let you know, in very strong terms that it is high time you really back Nigeria with the quest that something is done immediately because he threatens the forthcoming elections.

“The sad thing is that this gentleman has a lot of followers out there. And the moment he issues these instructions, what happens is that you have destructions the very next day. They embark on killings and burning and you name it. And we believe this is not acceptable.

“It’s important to get to know that these elections are being threatened by the actions of someone and that something needs to be done immediately, to address the situation.

“This in essence is why we thought it was important for us to have this discussion with you, so as to let you know our concerns and the displeasure of the Government of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria on this very unhealthy development,” the minister, who was represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, had told Pylvanainen.

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I Won’t Resign, Says Spain’s PM

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Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain has officially announced that he will not be resigning, bringing an end to a period of intense political speculation.

His declaration, made during a public address on Monday, follows days of uncertainty surrounding his tenure.

Earlier reports had hinted at Sanchez’s potential resignation amidst ongoing investigations into his wife, Begona Gomez’s alleged involvement in influence peddling and corruption.

However, Sanchez clarified that his contemplation of resignation was not driven by political strategy but rather by concerns over growing polarization and the dissemination of deliberate misinformation within the political landscape.

Sanchez passionately addressed the need to combat the degradation of public discourse, stating, “For too long, we’ve allowed toxic methods to corrupt our political and public life, methods that were unthinkable just a few years ago… Do we truly desire this for Spain?”

He emphasized his conviction, declaring, “I have acted with a clear determination: either we declare ‘enough is enough’ or allow this deterioration of public life to shape our future and condemn our nation.”

Sanchez’s choice to remain in office was significantly influenced by a strong demonstration of support at the Socialist Party’s headquarters in Madrid, where enthusiastic supporters passionately chanted, “Pedro, stay!” This outpouring of solidarity occurred shortly after the public prosecutor’s office recommended closing the investigation into Gomez.

Sanchez’s reaffirmation of his leadership role comes at a pivotal juncture as he gears up to guide his party through the upcoming regional elections in Catalonia on May 12.

The Socialists are poised to contest against the pro-independence factions currently holding sway, underscoring the significance of his continued leadership.

 

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UK Imposes Sanctions On Businesses Linked To Sudan Conflict

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Britain has taken a decisive stance against the escalating conflict in Sudan by announcing sanctions targeting businesses associated with the warring factions.

Since the outbreak of fighting between rival generals on April 15 last year, the situation has deteriorated drastically, resulting in thousands of casualties and forcing approximately 1.8 million people to seek refuge in neighboring countries.

Aid workers on the ground have painted a grim picture of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the country, with civilians enduring starvation, sexual violence, ethnic killings, and executions.

The UK’s Foreign Office has underscored the severity of the situation, emphasizing that “strict measures” will be implemented, including asset freezes on companies with ties to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

British foreign minister David CameronCameron said “We continue to see appalling atrocities against civilians, unacceptable restrictions on humanitarian access and an utter disregard for civilian life.

“The businesses that support the warring parties must be held to account, alongside those responsible for human rights abuses.  The world must not forget about Sudan. We urgently need to end the violence.

The sanctions target specific entities, including Alkhaleej Bank, implicated in financing the RSF, and Al-Fakher Advanced Works, a holding company facilitating gold exports for the organization, with proceeds funnelled into weapons acquisition.

Additionally, Red Rock Mining, known for providing funds to the SAF, faces sanctions. The company’s close ties to Defence Industries System, the economic and manufacturing arm of the SAF, further solidify its inclusion in the sanctions, as stated by the Foreign Office.

France, currently hosting an international conference on Sudan, is urging for aid contributions and heightened global attention to address what officials describe as a crisis overshadowed by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Will Carter, Sudan country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, emphasized the dire conditions faced by civilians in the region, including starvation, widespread sexual violence, ethnic massacres, and executions.

According to the UN, over 8.5 million people have been displaced since the onset of the conflict.

The World Health Organization has issued warnings about the country’s collapsing health system, citing acute shortages of medical staff and essential medicines as pressing concerns.

 

 

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JUST IN: Iran Summons 3 European Ambassadors Over Israel Attack

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In response to what it perceives as undue criticism from officials in France, Britain, and Germany, Iran summoned their respective ambassadors to Tehran on Sunday.

The move comes in the wake of Iran’s recent missile and drone strike on Israel.

According to the official IRNA news agency, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited “irresponsible positions” from certain officials in these countries regarding Iran’s retaliation against perceived Israeli provocations impacting Iranian citizens and interests.

The Agency said, “The British, French, and German ambassadors to Tehran were summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the irresponsible positions of certain officials of these countries regarding Iran’s response to the actions of the Zionist regime (Israel) against the nationals and interests of our country.”

 

More to follow……. 

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