Global Terrorism Index: IEP removes IPOB from updated list of terrorist organization

 

Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) has finally corrected it self by removing IPOB from world's terrorist list which their mischievously added early this month. 

Few weeks after listing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) 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.

The think tank stated on its website that, while the pro-Biafra secessionist movement based in southeast Nigeria was linked to several attacks 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 critical to clarify and update the Global Terrorism Index 2023 because of the need to "distinguish between the group's peaceful activities and its alleged involvement in violent activity."

"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," the statement reads

"IPOB was proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government in 2017. IPOB has been linked to multiple incidents in recent years, which have been attributed to its paramilitary component, the Eastern Security Network. (IPOB-ESN). None of these attacks have been claimed by the group."

"It is therefore critical to distinguish between the group's alleged peaceful activities and its alleged involvement in violent activity." We updated the Global Terrorism Index 2023 today to incorporate this important clarification."

In a prior analysis, the GTI noted, "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 previous year."

However, in its response, IPOB dismissed its position as the world's tenth deadliest terror group. 

The GTI 2023 ranking, according to its Head of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, is a "conspiracy by the Federal Government and foreign agencies to blackmail and demonize the group."

It's not clear at this time if the leadership of the Indigenous people of Biafra will withdraw their petitions in the law court.