UK, France: no protests on IPOB, Radio Biafra
Britain and France yesterday denied any link with the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
They were reacting to the Federal Government’s claim that Biafra Radio was broadcasting from Britain, which rejected requests to stop it.
Minister of Information Lai Mohammed said also that the bulk of the Diaspora money being sent to the group and its leader Nnamdi Kanu was passing through France.
The British High Commission, in a statement by its Press and Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Joe Abuku, said: “The UK is not aware of any representation from the Nigerian government about Radio Biafra.
“Were we to receive any such request, we would of course consider it carefully on the basis of the available evidence, recognising that freedom of speech and expression carries responsibilities.”
A diplomatic source who corroborated the High Commission’s statement said: “There is no way the UK Government will harbour any terrorist organisation. The UK is not immune from terrorism and it is in our interest to join hands with the Nigerian government to fight the scourge.
“We can only crack down on any group if proven intelligence is made available. And even in doing that, we will act only within the ambits of the law and fundamental human rights.
“If you will recall, the British Prime Minister in June called for a global action against the use of internet space by terrorists.
”She demanded international agreements to ‘regulate cyberspace’ against terrorists.”
The source quoted the British Prime Minister as saying: “We need to do everything we can at home to reduce the risks of extremism online. We need to deprive the extremists of safe spaces online.”
The French Embassy said its government was not harbouring IPOB terrorists.
It said the French Government was surprised by the allegation from the Federal Government.
A statement by the Embassy’s Political Counsellor, Claude Abily, said there was no knowledge of IPOB presence in France.
The statement said: “The Embassy of France was surprised by the statement made yesterday by the Minister of Information and Culture indicating that the ‘financial headquarters’ of IPOB were in France.
“We don’t have any knowledge of a particular presence of IPOB in France and the Nigerian authorities never got in touch with the Embassy on this point.
“We stand ready to examine any information which could support this statement.
“Furthermore, we would like to reiterate that France actively cooperates with Nigeria in the field of security and that we strongly support the unity of the country.”Biafra: IGP promotes officer allegedly killed by IPOB members
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has conferred a post-humous promotion on late Assistant Superintendent of Police, Cyril Nwosu, who was killed when suspected members of IPOB attacked and burnt down the police post in Ariaria Aba.
Idris said that the recent crisis in the state was a trial to all of Nigerians, adding that the country had come out stronger and appealed to all stakeholders to take the unity of Nigeria as a priority.
He added that there have been many security challenges in the state in recent times and thanked the security agencies for rising to the occasion.
Speaking during his visit to Abia state to see things for himself and also assess the security situation in the state after the recent army-IPOB clash, the IGP said: “Today, I confirm the promotion of the late police officer, Cyril Nwosu, who was yet to be confirmed as a substantive as a ASP.
“We have seen a lot of changes in Abia, the crises experienced in the state in the past few days are events that are not new, where some misguided elements tried to achieve their dreams in a wrong way.
“I believe Nigeria must be stronger, every part of Nigeria has its strength, if will we try to harness this strength together, we are going to make this country far better than we are now”.
The IGP further commended the Governor Ikpeazu for his role in dousing the tension, stressing that his timely imposition of a dusk to dawn curfew went a long way to bring peace and sanity within the state and its people.
Responding, the Abia Governor reaffirmed his commitment to ensure protection of lives and property of Nigerians living in the state irrespective of where they may come from so long as they reside in the state.
Ikpeazu maintained that Abia will continue to harbor and take all Nigerians residing in the state as brothers and thanked the Inspector General of police for responding to the needs of all parts of Nigeria.Biafra: Ask Abaribe, others if you are looking for Nnamdi Kanu – Presidency
The Presidency has said that those demanding for the whereabouts of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu should direct their inquiries to those who signed Kanu’s bail in April.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu made the remark on Thursday.
According to Shehu, “I am surprised someone would ask this question. Look, some people went to court and obtained his freedom, they signed his bail.
“I believe that a high profile group including a Senator of the Federal Republic signed in a court of law and obtained his freedom. So, if you are looking for him, why don’t you ask the people who bailed him?
“Nobody has informed me that Mr Kanu is in the hands of any institution of government. But if I was looking for him, I would ask the guy who bailed him because that is the deal he has with the court of the land.”
Recall that counsel to the IPOB leader, Ifeanyi Ejiofor had alleged that Kanu had gone missingafter his residence was raided by some soldiers on September 14.
Following a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja granting Kanu bail on April 25, Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, had signed the bond, which helped secured the release of the IPOB leader.
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Title :
BIAFRA “IPOB” & MASSOB News Today , Sept 22, 2017
Description : UK, France: no protests on IPOB, Radio Biafra Britain and France yesterday denied any link with the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (I...
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