Global Terrorism Index Removes IPOB From Terrorist List, Says Group Genuinely Seeking Independence

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been removed from the list of terrorist groups by
The Global Terrorism Index (GTI).

GTI’s annual report published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), had in 2022,
ranked Nnamdi IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world.

But in a statement published on its website on Monday, March 27, 2023, GTI referred to IPOB as a pro-Biafra secessionist movement and not a terrorist group.“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a pro-Biafra secessionist movement based in Southeast Nigeria that aims to establish an independent state of Biafra.

IPOB was proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government in 2017. In recent years, IPOB has been linked to several attacks, which have been attributed to its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (IPOB-ESN). The group has not claimed responsibility for any of these attacks.

It is important therefore to differentiate between the peaceful activities of the group and its alleged involvement in violent activity.

We have today updated the Global Terrorism Index 2023 to reflect this necessary clarification.

Institute for Economics and Peace”.Maazi Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention for many months even after the court had asked the federal government of Nigeria to set him free.

source TBE Magazine