The Nigerian Army has given seven reasons why it believes separatist group Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, is now a terrorist group.
In a statement release to newsmen, the Director Defense Information, John Enenche, said the group’s claims of having a “national guard”, a “secret service” and “extortion of innocent citizens” among others has prompted the declaration.
He warned members of the public to distance themselves from the activities of IPOB, and told parents and guardians to refrain their children and wards from them.
The statement also said claims by the group that its activities are nonviolent are false.
See the statement below.
PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE STATE OF INDEPENDENT PEOPLE OF BIAFRA
1. The Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) group which has posed to be a security challenge in the Country, has been metamorphosing from one stage to the other. After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient, to notify the general public that; the claim by IPOB actors that the organization is non violent is not true. Hence, the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB. In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively, that has been terrorising the general public among others include;
a. The formation of a Biafra Secret Service.
b. Claimed formation of Biafra National Guard.
c. Unauthorised blocking of public access roads.
d. Extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks.
e. Militant possession and use of weapons (stones, molotov cocktails, machetes and broken bottles among others) on a military patrol on 10 September 2017.
f. Physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB actors at a check point on 11 September 2017 and also attempts to snatch their rifles.
g. Attack by IPOB members, on a military check point on 12 September 2017, at Isialangwa, where one IPOB actor attempted to snatch a female soldier’s rifle.
3. From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation. Therefore, parents and particularly unsuspecting residents of the South East and other Nigerians should advice their wards to desist from joining the group.
4. The Defence Headquarters restates its commitment to handling all the security challenges in the Country and further assures all Nigerians of the protection of lives and property.
JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Director Defence Information
