UK makes U-turn, recognises IPOB as terrorist group excluded from asylum

TheCable
MAY 5, 2022 10:29 PM

The government of the United Kingdom has made a U-turn on its treatment of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), recognising Nigeria’s classification of the group as a terrorist organisation.

In a May 2022 update of its asylum policy, seen by TheCable, the UK government excluded members of the group from seeking refuge in England.

TheCable had reported in April 2021 that the UK was planning to grant asylum to persecuted members of the separatist group, as part of its refugee policy published at the time.

The policy, at the time, was for asylum to be granted to “persecuted” members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)”.

The UKVI, a division of the Home Office, directed its decision makers to consider if a person “who actively and openly supports IPOB is likely to be at risk of arrest and detention, and ill-treatment which is likely to amount to persecution”.

If the person can prove persecution, then the IPOB member or supporter could be granted asylum.

UKVI TAKES DOWN POLICY NOTES

A few days after the policy notes were published, the UK government took it down, following complaints from the Nigerian government.

In July 2021, an updated policy on asylum was seen by TheCable, with no clear mention of IPOB, but more emphasis on Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram’s onslaught.

The UK said at the time that it would offer protection to “women, LGBTI persons and non-indigenes” who “may face additional discrimination which prevents them from being able to access effective protection”.

The UK government said Nigerians could now claim asylum in the UK if they face “fear of persecution and/or serious harm by members of Boko Haram because of” their “actual or perceived opposition to the group”.

UKVI RECOGNISES IPOB AS TERRORIST ORGANISATION

In its May 2022 policy update seen by TheCable, UKVI referred to IPOB as a terrorist organisation to be excluded from its asylum programme over alleged links to violence in the south-east.

“IPOB is proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government, and members of the group and its paramilitary wing – the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) – have reportedly committed human rights violations in Nigeria,” UKVI said in its policy notes.

It added that “MASSOB has been banned, but is not a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria. It too has reportedly been involved in violent clashes with the authorities”.

UKVI went on to tell its decision makers that “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 UK added.

The policy brief noted that anyone excluded in this manner is also “excluded from a grant of humanitarian protection”.

UKVI also advised that “decision makers must, however, still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each case’s specific facts”.

Since the last update in July 2021, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB and a UK citizen, has been in the custody of the Nigerian government on the grounds of allegations, including treason.

In its 2022 new year message, the group said the Nigerian national anthem will no longer be sung across schools in the southeast.

Suspected IPOB members were also recently killed by the Nigerian Army in a gun battle on Orlu–Orsu road in April.

Yujin:

have BBC written about it? Nothing. The UK are not God and will some day face the consequences of their hypocrisy. May God grant victory to the Scots and the Sin Fein party of northern Irish.

naptu2:


https://www.thecable.ng/uk-makes-u-turn-recognises-ipob-as-terrorist-group-excluded-from-asylum/amp

naptu2:
That reminds me of this (from a year ago)

UK To Grant Asylum To ‘persecuted’ IPOB, MASSOB Members
https://www.nairaland.com/6514971/uk-grant-asylum-persecuted-ipob

Yujin:

As you rejoice over the news, ensure never to seek the help or support of any IPOB member for the rest of your life. I'm happy the internet never forgets.

Kingsley1000:


These guys are not playing at-all, at-all!

Malory:
See how greedy and evil people have destroyed the once good image of Biafra. Now no reasonable county will like to associate with anything Biafra again.

Yujin:

Did I say anything wrong to her? Anyone who rejoices on hearing any news that's deemed unpalatable to you should never ever request assistance or support from you. Isn't it so?

Yujin:

Did I say anything wrong to her? Anyone who rejoices on hearing any news that's deemed unpalatable to you should never ever request assistance or support from you. Isn't it so?

gidgiddy:


Thats to show you how biased they are to IPOB. Thats why some of them are willing to believe that IPOB is responsible for every crime commited in the South East without seeing any evidence to that effect

Dorwadora:
Good .... very good

The next thing is for the government to give them Hitler method. Round them all up in a warehouse and release toxic gas.


The earth need to be purge of cannibals and kinsmen killer

Naijabad:
It will not stop the emergence of Biafra.

#Biafraisourhomeland.

Naijabad:



Biafra must be restored.

Yujin:
All southerners are witnesses to the killings by fulanis in the various states in both the middle belt and southern Nigeria. Will the UK government say they're not aware of it? What have BBC written about it? Nothing. The UK are not God and will some day face the consequences of their hypocrisy. May God grant victory to the Scots and the Sin Fein party of northern Irish.

Yujin:
All southerners are witnesses to the killings by fulanis in the various states in both the middle belt and southern Nigeria. Will the UK government say they're not aware of it? What have BBC written about it? Nothing. The UK are not God and will some day face the consequences of their hypocrisy. May God grant victory to the Scots and the Sin Fein party of northern Irish.

pinkPUSSY:
Recycling old news...

Ipob have told them they don't need their asylum, they need referendum