IPOB Linked to 2,671 Seized Pump Action
Rifles Imported From Turkey
The Federal Government has linked leader of the Indigenous
People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu to the 2,671 pump action rifles illegally
imported from Turkey into Nigeria.
This is contained in a counter-affidavit it filed to oppose the
IPOB motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging its proscription
and designating as a terrorist group.
The weapons which were intercepted by the Nigeria Customs
Service (NCS) on four different occasions in 2017 alone, according to the
Federal Government could be linked to Kanu, who is the leader of IPOB.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent-Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, made the submission as part of his
application opposing IPOB’s motion against its proscription.
The counter-affidavit was filed by the Office of the Attorney
General of the Federation and was deposed to by a litigation officer in the
Department of State Services, Mr. Ayuba Adam.
In the counter-affidavit, Adam contended that IPOB was a violent
group pretending to be non-violent, adding that a Turkish citizen, Abdukadir
Erahraman, visited Kanu sometime in July 2017 when he was urging “Biafrans to
rise up and fight a good fight for freedom.”
He said, “That a Turkish citizen, Abdulkadir Erkahraman, visited
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the respondent/applicant in Isiama Afara, Umuahia,
Abia State sometimes in July 2017, and has been canvassing support for the
secessionist agenda of the respondent/applicant. He also admonished Biafrans to
rise up and fight a good fight for freedom.’
“That the Nigeria Customs Service had on four occasions this
year intercepted pump action rifles totaling 2,671 illegally imported into the
country. Copies of the report on arms smuggling is attached herewith and marked
as Exhibit FGN 2A and 2B.”
Meanwhile, IPOB in a
further affidavit filed by its lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had refuted claims
that the group had anything to do with the intercepted weapons.
IPOB Linked to 2,671 Seized Pump Action Rifles Imported From Turkey
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Rating:
No comments: