Why IPOB is a terrorist organization and Fulani herdsmen are not - Lai Mohammed explains

macfranc007 September 28, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Buchi Obichie

- The minister of information, Lai Mohammed, has given reasons why IPOB was designated as a terrorist organization, and Fulani herdsmen were not

- Mohammed stated that unlike IPOB members, the marauding herdsmen were simply criminals, and not terrorists

- The minister stated that IPOB’s actions, including setting up a Secret Service, attacking the Army and setting up a parallel government, signified that they were a terrorist movement

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, has stated that the federal government did not designate Fulani herdsmen as terrorists because their activities were criminal and not terror related.

Mohammed made his comments on the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme.

NAIJ.com notes that the minister made the comments in reaction to criticisms over the federal government’s decisions to label the pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a terrorist group, and not the marauding herdsmen.

He stressed that the agenda of the herdsmen was not the same as that of IPOB, insisting that “acts of criminality should not be confused with terrorism acts”.

Mohammed gave reasons why the pro-Biafra group deserved the designation as a terrorist movement.

In his words: “For instance, Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader was caught on tape, saying that they want Biafra and not peacefully, but by force.

“He declared that if they do not get Biafra, Somalia will be a paradise with the kind of mayhem they will unleash on Nigeria.

“The group openly embraced arms and ammunition; and the leader set up Biafra National Guard, Biafra Secret Service and openly attacked army formations.

“When an organisation decides to not just attack the Army but set up its own parallel government; when an organisation openly solicits for arms all over the world; when an organisation starts issuing out its own passports and currency and does not recognize the democratically elected government, then it becomes a different thing.”

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information, expressed disappointment that the United States does not agree that the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) is a terrorist organisation.

He said the Nigerian federal government does not agree with the US stance on the hot-bed issue.

Watch this NAIJ.com TV video of Nigerians likening Fulani herdsmen to Boko Haram terrorists