The Federal Government on Tuesday linked the 2,671 pump action rifles illegally imported from Turkey but intercepted and seized by men of the Nigeria Customs Service some months ago to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The allegation was made by Mr. Dayo Apata, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice while opposing the suit filed by IPOB before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the court’s order proscribing it and designating it as a terrorist organization.

The Federal Government’s position was supported by a counter-affidavit filed by  the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and deposed to by a litigation officer in the Department of State Services (DSS), Ayuba Adam.

In the  counter-affidavit, Adam alleged that IPOB was a violent organization pretending to be non-violent, adding that a Turkish national, one Abdulkadir Erkahrahman had sometimes in July 2017 visited Kanu at his Isiama Afara hometown when he was calling on Biafrans to rise up and fight a good fight of freedom.

“That a Turkish citizen, Abdulkadir Erkahrahman, 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 of 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,” the counter-affidavit read in part.

But in a further affidavit filed by IPOB through its counsel, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor on Monday, the proscribed group denied the claims linking Kanu or any of his associates to the intercepted weapons.