The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has stated that the South-East region of Nigeria experienced a noticeably calmer and safer Christmas celebration following the arrest of separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa. According to the defence minister, the security improvement recorded during the festive period highlighted the impact of decisive law enforcement actions against individuals whose activities threaten public peace. He explained that the absence of violent disruptions during Christmas was a clear indication that firm security measures can restore stability when properly enforced. General Musa made this known while speaking on Prime Time, a programme aired on Arise Television on Thursday. During the interview, he recalled that concerns surrounding Simon Ekpa’s actions had previously been openly discussed on public platforms, with repeated calls for his arrest due to the alleged role he played in escalating insecurity in the South-East. The former defence chief emphasized that the situation reinforced an important national principle — that no individual is above the law. He warned that anyone who deliberately crosses legal boundaries or incites unrest should expect a lawful response from the appropriate authorities. Musa further noted that the federal government remains firm in its commitment to protecting lives and property across all regions of the country. He stressed that whenever actions pose a threat to national security or public order, the government will not hesitate to act decisively. Reflecting on the outcome of Ekpa’s arrest, the minister stated that the peaceful atmosphere witnessed during the last Christmas season in the South-East served as strong evidence that enforcing the rule of law can significantly reduce tension and restore confidence among residents. In his words, he explained that discussions on Simon Ekpa’s activities and the necessity of arresting him had previously taken place, and once the arrest was carried out, the region saw a marked improvement in security. He reiterated that government authority must be respected, adding that crossing established red lines would always attract appropriate legal consequences.
