The Federal Government has revealed the discovery of an operational account in Paris which is used for major contributions by Nigerians in Diaspora towards the support of the movement of the Indigenous people of Biafra.
In the last 72 hours, some Nigerians are said to have invaded the Nigerian Embassies in Hong Kong and Spain under the pretext of renewing their passports but ended up staging a protest.
A top security personnel who spoke to Nation’s Newspaper reporter said, “Intelligence reports by the Intelligence gathering has led to the discovery of an account in Paris into which some Nigerians in the Diaspora remit funds to support IPOB.
“From the said account, funds were being drawn for the activities of IPOB at home and abroad. The relevant security agencies did a thorough job and provided incontrovertible evidence on the basis of which the government proscribed the terrorist organisation.
“These Nigerians in the Diaspora are using France as a clearing house.
“Investigations also confirmed inflows into the account from Holland, Hungary, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Turkey, Singapore and other parts of Europe. “In fact, a football tournament was recently organised in Senegal to raise funds for IPOB.
“As a matter of fact, the account is being used to get money from a lot of people in the Diaspora.
“What many Nigerians did not know is that the Minister of Information and Culture was talking on the basis of credible intelligence report.
“With cooperation by the international community, especially relevant countries, we will soon get the list of all the people remitting funds into the account in Paris.
“IPOB members are becoming desperate in the last 72 hours. About two days ago, some members of the terrorist group breezed into our Embassy in Hong Kong under the pretense of renewing their passports but ended up staging a protest.
“The IPOB members also demonstrated at our embassy in Spain a few days ago.”
Recall that few days ago the UK had indicted Nigeria for the continued operation of Radio -Biafra, a London based radio station that preaches hate against the country.
This was coming after a speech was credited to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of information and culture in which he said France and UK had a link to the operational activities of the Radio station.
In quick reaction to the statement from Lai Mohammed , the Ambassador actually told the minister that France would never condone the activities of any terrorist group, including IPOB.
He recalled that France has always been at the receiving end of terrorists and so cannot under any circumstances back IPOB, thereafter reiterated the determination of the French government to support any policy or initiative which will strengthen Nigeria’s unity.
The Ambassador also made it known that his government will not back secessionist agitation in this country.
On the account in Paris, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer was said to have told the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed during their meeting on Friday that France was “not aware of the account, but Nigeria should make a formal report.