Granting Asylum To IPOB, MASSOB Members Disrespects Nigeria — Lai Mohammed Tells UK

The Nigerian government has reacted to United Kingdom’s plans to grant asylum to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra who seek such over alleged persecution.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who described the decision as disrespectful, said the move would sabotage Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and undermine its security.

Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, April 20, the minister said, “As the spokesman for the Federal Government of Nigeria, I will say that if indeed the report that the UK will grant asylum to supposedly persecuted IPOB and MASSOB members is true, then something is wrong somewhere.

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Against the background of the fact that IPOB is not only proscribed but also designated as a terrorist organisation here in Nigeria, the UK’s decision is disrespectful of Nigeria as a nation. The decision amounts to sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security. It is not only unconscionable, it is inexplicable.”

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) had released new guidelines on how to consider and grant asylum applications by members of Biafran secessionist groups.