The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has questioned the basis for the Nigerian government’s decision to proscribe the group in September 2017, asking what terrorist activity occurred between a meeting with South-East governors on August 30 and the proscription on September 15.
In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, the group revisited events surrounding its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the military operation at his residence in Afaraukwu, Umuahia, in September 2017.
IPOB said Kanu met with members of the South-East Governors Forum in Enugu on August 30, 2017, describing the meeting as a peace engagement.
According to the group, Kanu's demands at the time included the development and reopening of major seaports, dredging of the River Niger, international flights into airports in the South-East and South-South, completion of the Second Niger Bridge, improved railway infrastructure, electricity, healthcare and the revival of industries.
The group also said Kanu demanded respect for court orders, the release of certain detainees and investigations into killings involving IPOB members and supporters.
IPOB argued that these demands were focused on infrastructure, economic development, employment, justice and governance.
The group then highlighted the September 14, 2017, military operation at Kanu's home in Afaraukwu, alleging that the operation was intended to kill the IPOB leader.
IPOB said the following day, September 15, the South-East Governors Forum announced its decision to proscribe IPOB activities in the region.
The group questioned the sequence of events, asking what had changed between the August 30 meeting and the September 15 proscription that resulted in IPOB being labelled a terrorist organisation.
It also cited a statement attributed to former Senate President Bukola Saraki on September 18, 2017, in which he reportedly questioned the constitutionality and due process surrounding the military's classification of IPOB and the governors' proscription.
IPOB further pointed to the governors' resolution, which it said simultaneously called for the withdrawal of the military from the South-East and investigations into killings and alleged unlawful conduct.
“Where was the terrorism between the peace meeting of 30 August and the proscription of IPOB on 15 September?” the group asked.
IPOB called on the Nigerian government and the international community to examine the events leading to the proscription, including the August meeting, Kanu's demands, the military operation at his residence and subsequent legal proceedings.
The group maintained that its position should be assessed against the historical record and challenged authorities to provide evidence supporting the terrorism designation.
“Show us the evidence,” Powerful said.
The statement was signed by Comrade Emma Powerful, Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB.