The Federal Government has said the reported decision of the United Kingdom to grant asylum to alleged “persecuted” members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who made this disclosure also said that the decision amounted to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security.
He made the statement in Abuja while speaking to media men in Abuja. Mohammed said the decision is unacceptable to Nigeria. According to him, “Let me say straight away that this issue is within the purview of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and I am sure he will handle it appropriately. But as the spokesman for the Federal Government of Nigeria, I will say that if indeed the report that the UK will grant asylum to supposedly persecuted IPOB and MASSOB members is true, then something is wrong somewhere.
“Against the background of the fact that IPOB is not only proscribed but also designated as a terrorist organization here in Nigeria, the UK’s decision is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation. The decision amounts to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security. It is not only unconscionable, but it is also inexplicable,” Mohammed stated. A move by the United Kingdom to grant asylum to some members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has pitted the Federal Government and the UK.
Reports say, the British government is considering asylum for members of the groups because of the alleged marginalization of the Igbo.
The perceived crackdown on the two organizations by the police and security agencies also accounted for the asylum window being offered by the UK.
The police and military actions against MASSOB and IPOB were traced by the UK Government to past administrations from the 1990s to the tenure of ex-President Good luck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari.
It cited revenge killings in Oyigbo in Rivers State in November last year and the February 2021 onslaughts against the two groups as some of the factors behind the privilege.
The UK also joined issues with the government over mass arrest and non-prosecution of the organizations. But the asylum is not automatic as those with genuine criminal cases may be exempted.
It clarified that since 2018, there had been no pro-Biafran activity in the UK. The policy borders on “guidance used by UK Visas and Immigration to make decisions in asylum and human rights applications.”
It reads in part: “Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has been perceived by some as being dismissive and unsympathetic towards the people of the Southeast, particularly with regard to the appointment of senior government officials which appeared to favour his Northern constituents.
“Some Igbo complain of under-representation in federal government, marginalisation, deficient infrastructure as a result of a smaller allocation of federal resources than other regions, and a sense of historical grievance against a state that they say does not represent them.”
The UK rated MASSOB and IPOB as groups that “have largely advocated for peaceful change.” It alleged that MASSOB and IPOB members are being persecuted.
“Both MASSOB and IPOB have largely advocated for peaceful change but on occasions have used rhetoric that may encourage violent resistance. IPOB in particular, through its online platform, Radio Biafra, and online comments of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has stoked secessionist aspirations and encouraged resistance to the authorities.
“In December last year, IPOB is reported to have set up the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a militia to counter the rising insecurity in the region. In February 2021, Facebook locked Kanu’s account for violating its rules on harm and hate speech
“In May 2013, former President Goodluck Jonathan identified MASSOB as one of the three ‘extremist groups threatening the national security’.
“In 2015, pro-Biafra marches were banned in some southern states. However, since August 2015, IPOB and MASSOB members and supporters have held protests, marches and gatherings. In September 2017, IPOB was declared a terrorist organisation. There is no indication that smaller pro-Biafran groups have been banned by the Nigerian authorities.’’
“MASSOB, since its formation in the late 1990s, has clashed with the security forces… Over a hundred arrests were made in September 2018, at least 10 in 2019; and in July last year, it was reported that members of MASSOB were arrested following clashes with police.
“IPOB has in recent years become the dominant Biafran group. Since 2015, the security forces have reportedly extra-judicially killed 10’s and injured hundreds of its supporters and leadership, often using excessive force to control protests.
The UK also joined issues with the government over mass arrest and non-prosecution of MASSOB and IPOB members.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that the UK’s Asylum Visa to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB has ended the falsehood and sponsored violence against Biafrans.
In a chat with Pa Ayo Ogunjobi, social critic and blogger, he said, ‘IPOB and MASSOB are two organisations that are wiping up old sentiments. They are groups of people that have refused to move on and let the wounds of the Biafra civil war to heal. Their ideologies are based on tribal sentiments and hatred for other tribes, refusing to tolerate and live in peace with fellow Nigerians. It is very unfortunate that they are getting some sympathy from the former colonial master Great Britain although our current President does not help matters. His favouritism and nepotism has fueled the cause of the Biafra secessionists but the truth is that President Buhari will not be in power forever and so is his policies. They will pass away with him. I don’t think it is right for the United Kingdom to lend separatists a listening hear, if they want Nigeria to continue to stay united.’’