Tag: UK

UK Finally Designates IPOB As Terrorist Group, Bars Members From Asylum

 

The United Kingdom Government may have classified the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation.

 

 

In September 2017, the Federal Government of Nigeria declared IPOB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, a terrorist group.

 

Critics have long accused the UK of refusing to do the same because Kanu holds a British passport.

Kanu, who is facing charges bordering on treason, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since repatriation in June 2021.

In December 2021, the Nigerian government urged foreign countries to also outlaw those regarded as enemies of State.

“We are lobbying our Western allies aggressively for partnership, investment and support in other areas, such as proscribing Boko Haram, bandits and IPOB as terrorist groups.

 

 

“This would severely dent their funding”, said Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman.

 

In an updated UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) policy, the British Home Office announced new rules.

 

The guidelines issued to decision makers explained how to consider and grant asylum applications to Biafra agitators.

 

The UK noted that IPOB and its militia, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), created in December 2020, “have reportedly committed human rights violations in Nigeria”.

 

Britain said though banned, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) is not a proscribed terrorist group but “reportedly been involved in violent clashes with the authorities”.

 

 

“If a person has been involved with IPOB (and/or an affiliated group), MASSOB or any other ‘Biafran’ group that incites or uses violence to achieve its aims, decision makers must consider whether one (or more) of the exclusion clauses under the Refugee Convention is applicable.

 

“Persons who commit human rights violations must not be granted asylum”, the policy dictated.

 

Decision makers were directed to find out if asylum seekers submitted a previous application for a UK visa.

 

 

Thus, asylum applications matched to visas should be investigated before the asylum interview.

 

Immigration officers must consider each case on its facts, the legal status, profile and size of the organisation the person belongs and its activities.

 

Others are whether a person in the UK would wish to continue their activism if returned to Nigeria; whether the organisation has a presence in Nigeria, and any evidence that it is being monitored by the government.

 

Also for consideration are the person’s profile, activities (including online), relevant documentary or other evidence; the profile and activities of family members, among others.

 

NDLEA intercepts parcels of cocaine, heroin going to UK, Ireland, Australia

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted well-concealed and unaccompanied parcels of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis sativa being shipped to the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Australia, Maldives and New Zealand.

A statement signed by the agency’s Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi and made available to NAOSRE stated that a notorious trafficker, Sikiru Owolabi, who is behind at least two of the parcels has been traced and arrested after days of thorough and systematic surveillance by NDLEA operatives. Undercover narcotic agents attached to two international courier companies in Lagos made the seizures.

Sikiru Owolabi, who has made useful confessions during interrogations, was tracked after 1kilogramme of cocaine concealed in cream containers and meant for Dublin in Northern Ireland was intercepted at one of the courier firms in Lagos. This was also followed by the discovery of another 200grammes of cocaine meant for London, United Kingdom in the same courier company.

In another undercover operation, 320grammes of heroin concealed in earrings coming from Congo and going to Australia was seized at a different courier firm in Lagos, just as another 390 grammes of cocaine hidden in men’s clothing and going to Northern Ireland was intercepted in the same company.

While 500grammes of cannabis sativa concealed in automobile parts going to New Zealand was seized at one of the courier companies, 200 grammes of methamphetamine hidden inside an award plaque and going to New Zealand, with another 200 grammes of methamphetamine concealed in a book and going to Maldives, were equally intercepted in another firm.

Beside the arrest of Owolabi, efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other traffickers behind the other unaccompanied illicit drugs packaged as parcels for shipment to Europe.

Chairman-Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the men and officers involved in the operations to frustrate attempts by drug barons and traffickers to ship illicit drugs overseas through unaccompanied parcels. “I ask all our men and officers involved in the various overt and covert operations across the country to continue with the ongoing offensive action until we chase the criminal elements out of their illicit and damaging trade”, General Marwa admonished.

Exit mobile version