By Dansu Peter
Contrary to Nigerian Government proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra as a terrorist organization, the United States Government has said it does not consider the secessionist group as terrorist, new report according to Punch Newspaper detailed.
Recall the Nigerian Defence Headquarter first proscribed the group as terrorist, this was followed by the Federal High Court in Abuja, who also backed the executive order of President Muhammadu Buhari, outlawing the group and its activities in the country last Wednesday
The court declared that the activities of the group constituted acts of terrorism.
The Federal Government also accused France and the United Kingdom of aiding IPOB activities.
According to Punch Newspaper, the spokesman for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, on Friday said that the US government does not view IPOB as a terrorist group.
He said this in response to our correspondent’s email which asked if the United States sees IPOB as a terrorist organisation.
Brooks stated further that the US was committed to Nigeria’s unity and would support a peaceful resolution of any crisis in the country.
He said, “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.”
The US embassy, however, declined to comment on whether the Federal Government had asked it to treat IPOB as a terrorist organisation and to block money sent to IPOB from the US.
Brooks also did not state the US’ position on the agitation for a Biafran state.
Speaking after the court judgment last week, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, said the Federal Government would proceed to gazette the order proscribing the group.
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