Weeks after listing the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world, in its 2023 Global Terrorism Index, the Institute for Economics and Peace, an independent and non-profit think tank, on Monday, issued a statement clarifying its position.
In the statement posted on its website, the think tank noted that although the pro-Biafra secessionist movement based in southeast Nigeria had been linked to several attacks, which had been attributed to its paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network, the group had not claimed responsibility for any of the attacks.
According to the think tank, it was important to make the clarification and update the Global Terrorism Index 2023 because of the need to “differentiate between the peaceful activities of the group and its alleged involvement in violent activity.”
The statement read, “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.”
The GTI had in its earlier report claimed that “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), designated as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government in 2017, recorded their deadliest year in 2022. They were responsible for 40 attacks and 57 deaths in 2022, an increase from 26 attacks and 34 deaths the year prior. IPOB is a separatist movement with many factions, many of which are seeking a peaceful succession from Nigeria.”
However, in its reaction, IPOB had dismissed its ranking as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world. In a statement by its Head, Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, it described the GTI 2023 ranking as a “conspiracy by the Federal Government and foreign agencies to blackmail and demonise the group.”
