Centus Nweze Reporting
Global Terrorism Index, GTI, run by the Institute of Economics and Peace, appears to have backtracked against its recent classification of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as one of the 10 deadliest terror group amid recent outcry against ethnic hate rhetorics targeted at the Igbos in Nigeria.
As a result from GTI’s own statement, IPOB is no longer classified as terror group.
Prominent Nigerians especially affiliated to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Nigeria, have brazenly engaged in ethnic baiting, profiling and killings, maiming and wanton distraction business and properties linked to Igbos, especially in Lagos.
Bayo Onanuga, journalist, former CEO of state owned agency press and director, Media and Publicity for the campaign office of APC’s controversial president elect, Bola Tinubu, Musiliyu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya, head of Lagos parks, Femi Fanikayode, ex minister serial political turncoat and spokesman for Tinubu’s campaign as well, were all implicated many ethnic dog whistle.
UK recently raised alarm on this trend has since promised sanction on the matter, though.
But reacting after its earlier classification of IPOB, a seperatist agitator for Biafra to carved out of Nigeria over years of percieved marginalisation, GTI explained as follows:
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a pro-Biafra secessionist movement based in Southeast Nigeria that aims to establish an independent state of Biafra.
“IPOB was proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government in 2017.
” In recent years, IPOB has been linked to several attacks, which have been attributed to its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (IPOB-ESN).
“The group has not claimed responsibility for any of these attacks.
“It is important therefore to differentiate between the peaceful activities of the group and its alleged involvement in violent activity.
“We have today updated the Global Terrorism Index 2023 to reflect this necessary clarification.”