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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it wants a referendum on self-determination for the south-east of Nigeria, not asylum offered by the government of United Kingdom.
You would recall that the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) released new guidelines on how to treat asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.
In the guidelines, asylum is to be granted to “persecuted” members of the proscribed IPOB and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
The Federal Government had on Tuesday said that the reported decision of United Kingdom to grant asylum to “persecuted” members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is disrespectful to Nigeria as a nation.
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Adelani Adepegba and Edward Nnachi
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Adelani Adepegba and Edward Nnachi
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The United Kingdom has said that all asylum and human rights claims from Nigerian nationals are considered on their individual merits in accordance with its international obligations.
The British government states that it has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it, in accordance with its international obligations under the Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights.
The British High Commission stated this on Wednesday, in response to inquiries by
The PUNCH on the Federal Government’s allegations that the UK’s asylum offer for persecuted members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra undermined Nigeria’s security.
The Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has lamented the ongoing mass arrests of innocent Igbo youths in Owerri, the Imo State capital by the Nigerian Army.
Ohanaeze, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, said there are indications that “the military personnel, suspected to be led by the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri since Sunday have been arresting male residents and youths, particularly in Oguta and Ohaji communities and packing them into vans and taken to unknown destinations.”
Ohanaeze is also raising alarm over reports of raids, discreet searches and arrests of youths and residents who the army only suspect to have links with the IPOB and ESN.
Stop mass arrest of Igbo youths ― Ohanaeze warns Nigerian army
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By Anayo Okoli
OHANAEZE Ndigbo has raised alarm over the alleged massive arrest of Igbo youths by the Nigerian army and taken to unknown destinations.
Ohanaeze said the mass arrest is going on in Ohaji and Oguta Communities of Imo State by military personnel believed to be from 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri.
The arrested youths were alleged to be members of Eastern Security Network, ESN, according to the apex Igbo group.
Ohanaeze wondered why the army were arresting Igbo youths who bear no arms and allow Fulani herdsmen to move around with AK 47 riffles.
The current insecurity and violence perpetrated in the country have been attributed to the infiltration of herdsmen in all nooks and crannies of the country Nigeria.
A former President of the Igbo Community in Calabar, Fidelis Obi Onyebueke told DAILY POST that there would not be any violence in Nigeria if there were no herdsmen.
“If there were no herdsmen harassing people, there wouldn’t have been any violence, burning of police stations, killing and destruction of properties in the country.
“When the herdsmen came up with the style of carrying AK47 rifles and killing people, starting from Benue it escalated the issue of violence in the country.