The British high Commission in Nigeria, on has refuted the media reports that it’s government has designated the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, a terrorist organization.
The Commission while speaking on the position of the United Kingdom, stated that the clarification became necessary as the claim in the reports claims were false.
It said that British government hasn’t barred or placed the IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other Pro-Biafran groups on the country’s terror list.
It was gathered that it was only IPOB and MASSOB members involved in violence that would be denied asylum.
The Network gathered that the reports copiously misquoted by the media in Nigeria contained in the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in SE Nigeria, including the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which the media misconstrued to be blacklisting of the organization.
“We are aware of inaccurate reporting circulating in the media and online that the UK Government has added the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the UK’s list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law.
“These reports are untrue. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a proscribed organisation in the UK,” a statement by the British High Commission on Friday evening read.
“The inaccurate reporting relates to the 13 April 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in SE Nigeria, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).”
“This CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation, some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the state and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection.” the statement reads.