Protesters storm US embassy, insist IPOB is terrorist organisation

Chief amongst the grouse of the placard wielding protesters was the United States' position that it doesn't yet consider the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation.

On September 20,a Federal High Court in Abuja grantedthe Federal Government an interim injunction proscribing IPOB, following recent skirmishes between separatists and the army in Southeast Nigeria.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Kafarati, granted the injunction in chambers following an exparte application filed by Attorney General Abubakar Malami.

However, On September 24, a spokesperson for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, told local newspaper, The Punch, that IPOB isn't yet proscribed within America's borders.

“The United States Government is strongly committed to Nigeria’s unity. Important political and economic issues affecting the Nigerian people, such as the allocation of resources, are worthwhile topics for respectful debate in a democracy.

“Within the context of unity, we encourage all Nigerians to support a de-escalation of tensions and peaceful resolution of grievances. The Indigenous People of Biafra is not a terrorist organisation under US law,” Brooks said.

ALSO READ: US says pro-Biafra group isn't yet a terrorist organisation

In taking to the streets today, Otunba Bolaji Alabi who is National President/Convener of the Coalition, said the US erred in its position on the lingering separatist agitation in Nigeria.

"We are here today to protest against something that we know threatens not just our dear country, Nigeria, but also poses a risk to our culture as Yoruba. It is a culture we cherish as passionately as we respect our nationality as Nigerians", said Alabi.

He added that: "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 chamber, 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.

"The disdain with which this terrorist organization hold us as a people was deplorable to the extent that IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, directed his members to kill Yoruba after branding us as colluding with the Hausa/Fulani.

"Below are a few instances of him threatening us as a people:

"No Igbo man should attend any Church where the pastor is a Yoruba man, they are criminals and fools"; "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 is a zoo and everybody living in that Godforsaken zoo deserves to die"; "Nigeria should prepare for war, we are coming to annihilate you, my secret service are already studying the zoo and strategising."

"IPOB has also been attempting to recruit and radicalize Yoruba youths to create a version of the terror group in the south-west of Nigeria oblivious to our nationalistic spirit and staunch belief in the unity of Nigeria. It was these brainwashed youths that had unsuccessfully attempted making demands for Oodu'a Republic, which does not enjoy any backing among us.

"The culture of hate speech being promoted by IPOB, which it is teaching these youths is alien to us as we are taught to be respectful and considerate of other humans.

"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, including Yoruba, 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.

"We have decided as a people that our lot is in a united and indivisible Nigeria. It is inconceivable that we change who we are as Yoruba because some terrorists have been bolstered by the US. To be so insulted, derided, attacked and killed by IPOB terrorists for this conviction is unacceptable".

The Coalition for Nigeria's Sovereignty also added that the United States will be labelled a sponsor of terrorism in Nigeria if it doesn't review its position on IPOB.

"It was on this note that we commended the court's declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organisation; if the United States thinks and says otherwise then we have no option than to begin to treat that country as a state sponsor of terrorism.

"May we also point out that stakeholder may know the start of this contention but no one knows where it would head or where it would end. 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.

"The US is home to many Nigerians and it is a matter of time before IPOB export its violence to that country and we boldly warn the US to watch out in Houston, Texas, where IPOB has vibrant cells.

"Our thoughts are that the United States corrects its mistake within reasonable time so that IPOB would not use its position as an excuse to spread its violence and hatred to other parts of the world. We are closely monitoring to see how soon the US would do the right thing by distancing itself from a terror organisation that has the Yoruba in its cross-hairs".

The activities of IPOB have been banned in Igboland by Governors of the region.

The army has also taken a tough stance against the Nnamdi Kanu led group, labelling their actions as constituting terrorism.