IPOB raises the alarm, alleges plot to assassinate British envoy in the South East

The federal government and the British High Commission in Abuja were mum Thursday on the warning issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) asking the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing to halt planned travels in the South East warning that such trips could be “suicidal”.

In a statement issued by its spokesman,Emma Powerful, and made available to Daily Trust in Awka, Anambra State capital, on Thursday, the proscribed separatist movement alleged a plot by unnamed persons to kill the British envoy in the area and blame its members for it.

Powerful, who accused the high commissioner of “Hatred against the Igbos and Biafra” said the group would not want to harm Ms Laing but asked that she “Must as a matter of life and death suspend all her planned activities involving travels” in the South East.

In a statement issued on May 6, the British government said though it does not change its position against recognising IPOB as a terrorist organisation, as requested by the Nigerian government, they would however not grant asylum to anybody linked to the group’s violent activities.

The IPOB claimed it got the information about the alleged plan to assassinate the envoy through its intelligence arm, the M-Branch.

“We wish to advise the British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing to be more conscious of her environment. We, as well call on the British High commissioner to shelve her regular visits to different parts of the Nigerian countryside especially the Biafraland otherwise referred to as the South East.

“The reason for this sincere security advice is to save her life. Despite her hatred for Biafra and Igbos in particular, we have optimal respect and value for the sanctity of life, especially visitors to our land.

The statement alleged that the plot was an “Orchestrated conspiracy to perform a sacrifice big and powerful enough to strengthen the potency of the British hatred against the Igbos and Biafra. Such high profile plan is zeroed toward using a highly placed person capable of making headline news globally as a scapegoat.

“Their aim is to quash the agitation for self-determination and to kill as many Indigenous Biafrans as possible and other residents in Biafra land”.

Powerful said IPOB does not wish the British envoy dead, “However, if she ignores this advice and walks into the trap already set by enemies of Biafra struggle that will be considered suicidal”.

According to the statement, IPOB had never attacked British persons, citizens, institutions, investments and properties of any kind, and does not have such intention now or in the future notwithstanding being at the receiving end of the British unpleasant attitudes, Igbophobic, Biafraphobic and stringent policies.

The group also accused presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu and those it called “co-cabals” of hatching plans to tarnish the image of ESN and IPOB.

No comment from FG, high commission

Segun Adeyemi, spokesperson for the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed declined comments when contacted on Thursday.

Also, the Head of Communications at the British High Commission in Abuja, Dean Hurlock, promised to revert to our reporter but failed to do so up to the time of filing this report.

When reminded to respond to the enquiry, Hurlock replied: “We don’t have any for you right now. Sorry.”

On whether the British High Commission still disagreed with Nigeria’s view of labelling IPOB as a terrorist group, he insisted that they still stand on the position.

Daily Trust