Yoruba nation support for IPOB shocking – Presidency

The Presidency has expressed shock over the support of some Yoruba Nation agitators for the designated terrorist organisation, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which they took to the United Nations headquarters in New York, the United States.

On Tuesday, agitators under the umbrella of the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination (NINAS) protested at the UN headquarters.

The NINAS claims to be a “multi-ethnic alliance of the indigenous peoples of the Middle Belt (part of the former Northern Region), Ilana Omo Oodua (the former Western Region) and the Lower Niger (Former Eastern & Mid-Western Regions)”.

The Presidency said in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, that said the Yoruba nation agitators might not be taken seriously as a result of its association with IPOB.

The Presidency also pleaded with the media to focus on more important issues of 76th United Nations General Assembly being attended by President Muhammadu Buhari other than designated terrorist group.

It stated, “It was, however shocking, to see “Yoruba Nation” advocates yesterday (Tuesday) unequivocally throw their lot in with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“IPOB is a designated terrorist organisation. It has now publicly revealed a 50,000 strong paramilitary organisation. It regularly murders security services and innocent civilians, with a significant uptick of violent attacks this year. And it is currently attempting to hold Nigerian states hostage with orders to stay at home under threat of terror.

“Without doubt, Nigerians and the entire world will judge Yoruba Nation by the company it keeps. No one can take seriously this organisation if it continues its IPOB association. When their allies systematically trample human rights, it raises sober questions about their claims to uphold the values of the UN.”

The stressed that the Nigerian government would continue its work at the UN to fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, and international cooperation.

“If we want to see stolen funds returned to their rightful home in Nigeria, the government must continue to campaign for and coordinate global action on asset recovery,” it stated.