The Federal Government on Tuesday reacted to the reported decision of British Government to grant asylum to “Persecuted” members of the Indigenous People of Biafra {IPOB}, saying it is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who reacted on behalf of the Federal Government, also said that the decision amounted to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security.
Mohammed, who reacted while fielding questions at a News Agency of Nigeria interview programme, NANForum, in Abuja, said the decision is unacceptable to Nigeria.
“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 organisation 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, it is inexplicable,’’ he said.
The minister, who noted that there had been heightened attacks against security agencies in the South-East zone recently, insisted that IPOB is behind the attacks in spite of its denials.
“For the UK to choose this time to give succour to IPOB beggars belief and 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.
NaijaNewsNow reports that the UK Visas and Immigration recently released new guidelines on how to consider and grant asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.
