In a subtle move that rubbishes the position of the Nigerian government on the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the United States of America has said it does not consider IPOB as a terrorist organisation.
A statement credited to Russel Brooks, spokesman for the American Embassy in Nigeria, stated the position of the US Government led by Mr. Donald Trump. The statement came in reaction to the declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organisation by the Federal High Court in Abuja last week.
Brooks 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 Nigerian government went to the court and got an order declaring IPOB a terrorist organisation. Abubakar Malami, attorney general of the federation and minister of Justice, acting on a letter by President Muhammadu Buhari, secured the order from Justice Abdu Kafarati granted.
Meanwhile IPOB last Friday also went to the same court to vacate the order, saying that the action of Kafarati was unconstitutional in law.
