Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has been exposed to global ridicule over the categorization of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization by the Presidency and the Fulani herdsmen, who have been carrying AK47 and other sophisticated weapons, killing people and invading rural communities, as mere criminal organization.
Democracy and human rights monitors across the globe were dumb-founded when the Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, was a guest on Channels TV this Thursday morning where he justified the proscription of IPOB and classifying same a terrorist group.
In the telecast monitored from Lagos, Garba Shehu stated that IPOB is an organization that has no regard for the constitution.
ALSO SEE: Genocide looms in Igboland
Reacting to questions on why the Fulani herdsmen have not been tagged a terrorist organization despite the fact that they have killed hundreds of people and destroyed property in some parts of the country, Garba said: “This is because there is a difference between a criminal gang and terrorist activities. Yes, the Fulani herdsmen are a criminal gang and are being dealt with in accordance to the laws of the country but IPOB, like Boko Haram, has a territory they have carved onto themselves as a sovereign state and have shown willingness to invade neighboring states. They have raised concerns in neighboring Kogi, Benue and also indicated interest in taking over Bayelsa and Rivers. That is exactly what Boko Haram has done with the Flags and taxation systems This certainly are not acceptable to the laws of the country.”
Garba said information reached the government that IPOB members had already started printing passports as well as their own currency which is against the laws of the country.
Meanwhile, international media and other actors in the international community are beginning to look at the Nigerian government with skepticism on issues relating to sectional sentiments, rule of law and democracy freedoms.