CSO condemns US” refusal to recognize IPOB as a terror group

A civil society group, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has condemned the refusal of the United State government to recognize the the Indigenous People of Biafra  (IPOB) as a terrorist group. The centre said the action was a clear indication that the US was not in support of Nigeria’s unity. The United […]

A civil society group, Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has condemned the refusal of the United State government to recognize the the Indigenous People of Biafra  (IPOB) as a terrorist group.

The centre said the action was a clear indication that the US was not in support of Nigeria’s unity.

The United States Government had during the weekend said it does not categorize the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation.

Spokesman for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, stated that the US was committed to Nigeria’s unity and would support a peaceful resolution of any crisis in the country.

Reacting to Brooks’ assertion, CESJET expressed angst with the position of the United States Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria to the effect that IPOB, is not a terrorist group even after a competent Nigerian court has issued an order designating the group as such.

Executive Secretary of CESJET, Comrade Isaac Ikpa said it was wrong of Brooks, to meddle in this issue in a way that could jeopardize Nigeria’s security by maintaining that IPOB is not seen under US laws as a terrorist organisation.

Ikpa said, “The assertion ignored the fact that Nigeria is a sovereign nation that does not need the approval of another country to contain terrorists’ threats within its borders.

"The US Embassy must note that Nigeria has every right to prevent known threats from growing same way the US placed travel ban on nationals  of eight countries of the world to keep terrorists out of its territories despite the global outcry and international criticisms that did nothing to reverse the action.

“CESJET therefore condemns the US Mission’s decision not to acknowledge that IPOB is a terror group. As opposed to rushing to making such distracting comment the proper thing was to have undertaken an appreciation of the threats posed by IPOB to peace within the West Africa sub region,” he said