IPOB Not A Terrorist Organization Under US Law-Embassy Spokesman

The United States Government has said the Indigenous People of Biafra is not a terrorist organisation under the US Law.

The spokesman for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, told Punch newspaper on Friday that the US government does not view IPOB as a terrorist group.

The Federal Government of Nigerian had obtained a court order to back President Muhammadu Buhari’s proscription of the group and its activities in the country.

The court granted the prayer of the Executive arm, therefore outlawing the activities of IPOB in Nigeria.

Brooks however said that the United States 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.

Meanwhile the group had challenged the proscription order in court. A suit had been filed at the Federal High Court Abuja seeking the Court to set aside the Judicial Order and a stay of execution of the proscription order.