Asylum To IPOB, MASSOB Members, Sabotage, Disrespect For Nigeria – FG Attacks UK

Nigerian Government says the reported decision of the United
Kingdom to grant asylum to “persecuted” members of the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB) is disrespectful of Nigeria as a
nation.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, also said that the decision amounted to sabotaging the
fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s
security.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) had released new guidelines
to its decision-makers on how to consider and grant asylum
applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.

In the guidelines, asylum is to be granted to “persecuted”
members IPOB, a group that Nigeria had designated as a terrorist
organisation.

Also in the guidelines, asylum is to be granted to the Movement
for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra

But fielding questions at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
flagship interview programme, NANForum, on Tuesday in Abuja,
Mohammed said the decision is unacceptable to Nigeria.

“Let me say straightaway 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 organisation here in
Nigeria, the UK’s decision is disrespectful to 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,’’
he said.

The minister said that there had recently been heightened
attacks against security agencies in the South East Zone.

He said IPOB had been fingered as being behind the attacks
inspite of its denials.

“For the UK to choose this time to give succour to IPOB beggars,
calls to question the UK’s real intention.

“If we could go down the memory lane, what the UK has done is
like Nigeria offering asylum to members of the IRA before the 1998
Good Friday Peace Agreement,’’ he said.

Nigerian Government says the reported decision of the United
Kingdom to grant asylum to “persecuted” members of the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB) is disrespectful of Nigeria as a
nation.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, also said that the decision amounted to sabotaging the
fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s
security.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) had released new guidelines
to its decision-makers on how to consider and grant asylum
applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.

In the guidelines, asylum is to be granted to “persecuted”
members IPOB, a group that Nigeria had designated as a terrorist
organisation.

Also in the guidelines, asylum is to be granted to the Movement
for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra

But fielding questions at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
flagship interview programme, NANForum, on Tuesday in Abuja,
Mohammed said the decision is unacceptable to Nigeria.

“Let me say straightaway 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 organisation here in
Nigeria, the UK’s decision is disrespectful to 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,’’
he said.

The minister said that there had recently been heightened
attacks against security agencies in the South East Zone.

He said IPOB had been fingered as being behind the attacks
inspite of its denials.

“For the UK to choose this time to give succour to IPOB beggars,
calls to question the UK’s real intention.

“If we could go down the memory lane, what the UK has done is
like Nigeria offering asylum to members of the IRA before the 1998
Good Friday Peace Agreement,’’ he said.