Nigeria: Military labels pro-independence Biafran group, IPOB, terrorist organisation

15 Septembre 2017

ABUJA,  Nigeria, September 15 (Infosplusgabon) - The Nigerian military on Friday designated the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the group agitating for an independent Biafra in the Southeastern part of the country, as a terrorist organization.

Nigerian Defence Spokesman, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement issued in Abuja listed criminal offences allegedly perpetrated by members of IPOB whose leader Nnamdi Kanu has vowed to break Nigeria and form the Independent Republic of Biafra or pay with his life.

Kanu has been on bail since he was arrested and charged with treason. He has clearly violated all his bail conditions, and called on his members to “burn Nigeria down to the ground” any day they hear he’s been arrested.

In many videos, Kanu is seen advocating war, not peace, and disparaging other tribes. He’s seen preaching hate particularly against the Yoruba and Igbo tribes.

Labelling IPOB a terrorist organization, Gen. Enenche stated that “some of their (IPOB) actions, clandestinely and actively, that has been terrorising the general public among others include; the formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads, extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks, militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017.”

According to Enenche, “the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) group which has posed to be a security challenge in the Country, has been metamorphosing from one stage to the other.  After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the general public that; the claim by IPOB actors that the organization is non-violent is not true.  Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB.

"In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that has been terrorising the general public among others include; formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorised blocking of public access roads, extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks, militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017, physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a check point on 11 September 2017 and also attempts to snatch their rifles, and attack by IPOB members, on a military check point on 12 September 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldier’s rifle.

“From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation. Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South East and other Nigerians should advice their wards to desist from joining the group.

"The Defence Headquarters restates its commitment to handling all the security challenges in the Country and further assures all Nigerians of the protection of lives and property.”

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/ART/GABON 2017

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