Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
The British High Commission has debunked reports circulating in the media that the UK Government has designated the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to the UK’s list of terrorist groups or organisations banned under UK law.
The reports, as published by some national dailies in Nigeria, the Commission, insisted, were untrue.
In a statement obtained by Nigerian Tribune, the British High Commission in Abuja stated that: “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.”
The British High Commission explained that the inaccurate reporting related to the April 13, 2022 publication by the UK Government of a revised Country Policy and Information note (CPIN) on separatist groups in South-East Nigeria, including IPOB.
Recent gruesome killings, including the butchering of an army couple who were on their way to Imo State for their traditional wedding in the South East, have fueled concerns over the activities of the separatist group alleged to be carrying out the dastardly acts.
But IPoB, which was proscribed and tagged a terrorist group by the Nigerian Government, has consistently denied carrying out the killings and carnage, attributing them to some unknown gunmen.