Biafra Protesters storm US embassy, insist IPOB is terrorist organisation
A group of protesters wielding placards, hit the US embassy to insist that IPOB is a terrorist outfit.
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Protesters take to the US embassy to carpet America's stance on IPOB(Wale Odunsi)
A group of protesters under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defense of Nigeria's Sovereignty, hit the US embassy in Lagos on Friday,September 29.
Chief amongst the grouse of the placard wielding protesters was the United States' position that it doesn't yet consider the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation.
On September 20, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the
Federal Government an interim injunction proscribing IPOB, following
recent skirmishes between separatists and the army in Southeast Nigeria.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati, granted the injunction in chambers following an exparte application filed by Attorney General Abubakar Malami.
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IPOB separatists (South East Sun)
However, On September 24, a spokesperson for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, told local newspaper, The Punch, that IPOB isn't yet proscribed within America's borders.
“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,” Brooks said.
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US President Donald Trump (Getty Images/Pool)
In taking to the streets today, Otunba Bolaji Alabi
who is National President/Convener of the Coalition, said the US erred
in its position on the lingering separatist agitation in Nigeria.
"We
are here today to protest against something that we know threatens not
just our dear country, Nigeria, but also poses a risk to our culture as
Yoruba. It is a culture we cherish as passionately as we respect our
nationality as Nigerians", said Alabi.
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Protesters at the US embassy in Lagos (Wale Odunsi)
He added that: "Our
compatriots in south-east Nigeria, our Igbo brothers, have a challenge
on their hands by way of some errant persons that are advocating for a
forceful breakup of Nigeria. They are pursuing this evil enterprise
under the name of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which the Federal
Government of Nigeria has properly designated to be a terrorist group.
This decision has been confirmed by the court in accordance with what
the anti-terrorism law prescribes.
"We
were taken aback when the United States of America said IPOB is not a
terrorist organization. We find the position of the United States
abhorrent and highly condemnable in the light of the psychological and
emotional trauma that this terrorist group has caused us collectively as
a people. Even in the US, every single thing that members of this
terrorist group have done in recent weeks will lead to jail terms.
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Protesters at the US embassy in Lagos (Wale Odunsi)
"The
United States should desist from making decisions from the comfort of
its echo chamber, in which it only hears itself without the benefit of
appreciating what the end recipients of the situation under
consideration go through. In this regard, the hate speech hurled at
Yoruba by IPOB members online alone qualify as terrorism. They have
repeatedly referred to us as "yorobastards" "yoropigs" "yaribads"and
other derogatory appellations.
"The
disdain with which this terrorist organization hold us as a people was
deplorable to the extent that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, directed his
members to kill Yoruba after branding us as colluding with the
Hausa/Fulani.
"Below are a few instances of him threatening us as a people:
"No
Igbo man should attend any Church where the pastor is a Yoruba man,
they are criminals and fools"; "Any Igbo Person who attends any Church
Pastored by a Yoruba Man is an Imbecile"; "Pastor Kumuyi should be
stoned and dealt with thoroughly if he comes to Aba for his planned
crusade"; "Nigeria is a zoo and everybody living in that Godforsaken
zoo deserves to die"; "Nigeria should prepare for war, we are coming
to annihilate you, my secret service are already studying the zoo and
strategising."
"IPOB has also been
attempting to recruit and radicalize Yoruba youths to create a version
of the terror group in the south-west of Nigeria oblivious to our
nationalistic spirit and staunch belief in the unity of Nigeria. It was
these brainwashed youths that had unsuccessfully attempted making
demands for Oodu'a Republic, which does not enjoy any backing among us.
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Protesters at the US embassy in Lagos (Wale Odunsi)
"The
culture of hate speech being promoted by IPOB, which it is teaching
these youths is alien to us as we are taught to be respectful and
considerate of other humans.
"We wonder
what would be the fate of anyone that repeatedly incite others to
violence through the promotion of hate speech and go the extra mile to
actualize the threats as we witnessed in Rivers State when IPOB
terrorists were stopping commercial buses and singling out non-Igbo
passengers, including Yoruba, for attacks.
"These
IPOB's activities have already negatively affected the economy and
unleashed hardship on the population from which Yoruba are not immune.
This situation is unacceptable and we do not see why any country will
offer support to a terrorist group that is responsible for human
suffering on this scale.
"We have
decided as a people that our lot is in a united and indivisible Nigeria.
It is inconceivable that we change who we are as Yoruba because some
terrorists have been bolstered by the US. To be so insulted, derided,
attacked and killed by IPOB terrorists for this conviction is
unacceptable".
The Coalition for Nigeria's
Sovereignty also added that the United States will be labelled a sponsor
of terrorism in Nigeria if it doesn't review its position on IPOB.
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IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu (AFP/File)
"It was on this
note that we commended the court's declaration of IPOB as a terrorist
organisation; if the United States thinks and says otherwise then we
have no option than to begin to treat that country as a state sponsor of
terrorism.
"May we also point out that
stakeholder may know the start of this contention but no one knows where
it would head or where it would end. IPOB is already exporting its
violence as seen in Bengaluru, India on September 24, 2017 when violence
by members of the terror group left one person dead and property
destroyed.
"The US is home to many
Nigerians and it is a matter of time before IPOB export its violence to
that country and we boldly warn the US to watch out in Houston, Texas,
where IPOB has vibrant cells.
"Our
thoughts are that the United States corrects its mistake within
reasonable time so that IPOB would not use its position as an excuse to
spread its violence and hatred to other parts of the world. We are
closely monitoring to see how soon the US would do the right thing by
distancing itself from a terror organisation that has the Yoruba in its
cross-hairs".
The activities of IPOB have been banned in Igboland by Governors of the region.
The army has also taken a tough stance against the Nnamdi Kanu led group, labelling their actions as constituting terrorism
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