The United States of America has said it does not consider the Indigenous People of Biafra a terrorist organisation, SUNDAY PUNCH is reporting.
The highly authoritative newspaper quoted the spokesman for the American Embassy in Nigeria, Russell Brooks, as having said this.
The position of the US Government is coming on the heels of the declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organization by the Federal High Court in Abuja last week.
This followed the request of the Federal Government to the court to declare IPOB a terrorist organization.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, acting on a letter by President Muhammadu Buhari, had approached the court on the issue.
Justice Abdu Kafarati granted the request in chamber.
But Brooks told SUNDAY PUNCH: “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.”
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