UK clears air on adding IPOB to list of terrorist groups

 

The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has said its decision to designate Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group is aimed at preventing certain members of the association from using the country as haven.

UK said its decision to add IPOB to its list of terrorist groups was in line with Nigeria’s classification of the group.

It, however, said only violent members of the secessionist group will be denied asylum in Britain.

The British High Commission (BHC) in Abuja made this known on Friday in a statement by its spokesperson, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe.

The statement read “all asylum and human rights claims made in the UK are considered on their individual facts in accordance with our obligations under the UN Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights, taking into account relevant background country information and case law”.

The high commission added that IPOB members who have committed violent crimes in Nigeria will not be granted asylum.

“This CPIN also acknowledges that the Nigerian government has proscribed IPOB as a terrorist organisation, some members of IPOB have reportedly used violence against the state and members of the public, and advises that persons who have committed human rights abuses must not be granted protection,” the statement read.