United States Doesn’t See IPOB As Terrorist Organisation’ – Russell Brooks

United States Doesn’t See IPOB As Terrorist
Organisation’ – Russell Brooks

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.