The Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital has labelled the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a militant terrorist organization.

In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the Director, Defence Information, Major General John Enenche urged parents to discourage their wards from joining the group as it poses a major security challenge to Nigeria .He said IPOB  was gradually transforming itself into a threat to national unity.

He further reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces to combating all the security challenges currently facing the nation.

“After due professional analysis and recent developments, it has become expedient to notify the general public that the claim by IPOB actors that the organization is non-violent is not true.

“Hence the need to bring to public awareness the true and current state of IPOB. In this regard, some of their actions, clandestinely and actively that have been terrorizing the general public include: The formation of a Biafra Secret Service, claimed formation of Biafra National Guard, unauthorized blocking of public access roads and extortion of money from innocent civilians at illegal road blocks.” Enenche said.

Enenche also listed the alleged possession and use of weapons on a military patrol on September 10, 2017, the physical confrontation of troops by Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB members at a checkpoint the following day, and the group’s attack on a checkpoint in Isiala Ngwa on September 12, all in a bid to dispossess soldiers of their weapons as some of the militant and terrorist activities of the group.

“From the foregoing, the Armed Forces of Nigeria wish to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organization,” he added.