‘Clash in India shows IPOB has exported its violence’

A group known as the Coalition for The Defence of Nigeria Sovereignty says the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has exported its violence.

The group said this in response to the clash between some Nigerian students in India. One person was killed in the violence, which The Times of India attributed to an argument over Biafra.

Speaking during a protest in Lagos on Friday, Bolaji Alabi, convener of the group, expressed support for the decision of the federal government to ban IPOB.

“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,” Alabi said.

“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.

“The United States should desist from making decisions from the comfort of its echo chambers, 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.”

Alabi accused Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, of exploiting the fault lines of the country.

“Below are a few instances of Nnamdi Kanu threatening us as a people: ’No Igbo man should attend any Church where the pastor is a Yoruba man, they are criminals and fools,” he said.

“’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 should prepare for war, we are coming to annihilate you, my secret service are already studying the zoo and strategising’.

“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, 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.”