We don’t see IPOB as a terrorist organisation – US

The United States Government has said it does not consider the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation.

In a correspondence with Sunday Punch, the spokesman for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, stated that the US does not see the group as a terrorist organization.

He stated further that the US was committed to Nigeria’s unity and would support a peaceful resolution of any crisis in the country.

The United States Government is strongly committed to Nigeria’s unity. Important political and economic issues affecting the Nigerian people, such as the allocation of resources, are worthwhile topics for respectful debate in a democracy.

Within the context of unity, we encourage all Nigerians to support a de-escalation of tensions and peaceful resolution of grievances.

The Indigenous People of Biafra is not a terrorist organisation under US law, he said.

Last week, the Federal High Court in Abuja gave a judicial ruling backing the executive order of President Muhammadu Buhari, outlawing the group and its activities in the country.  

The court granted the order to proscribe the group on Wednesday and declared that the activities of the group constituted acts of terrorism.  

The Government also accused France and the United Kingdom of aiding IPOB activities financially.

The report said that Brooks did not state the US’ position on the agitation for a Biafran state. 

Culled from Punch Nig