The United States Government has said it does not consider the Indigenous People of Biafra a terrorist organisation.
Last week, the Federal High Court in Abuja gave a judicial 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.
It 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.
The spokesman for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks,
told SUNDAY PUNCHon Friday 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.
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