President Muhammadu Buhari
The Presidency has thrown a jab at the United Kingdom, UK government over plans to grant asylum to the Indigenous People of Biafra and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra.
Speaking on behalf of the federal government, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the decision as disrespectful.
The Minister noted that granting asylum to IPOB members who seek such over alleged persecution would sabotage Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
Mohammed added that the move would undermine the security of Nigeria. Meanwhile, he expressed optimism that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, would handle the issue with competence.
According to the Minister, granting asylum to supposedly persecuted IPOB and MASSOB members shows that something is wrong somewhere.
He reiterated that IPOB is not only proscribed but also designated as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria.
However, Lai Mohammed blamed recent attacks on police stations, police personnel and prisons in the South-East on the IPOB and MASSOB.
EveryEvery.ng gathered that the UK Visas and Immigration had released new guidelines on granting asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.