The Federal Government stated that the reported decision of the United Kingdom to grant asylum to “persecuted” members of the Indigenous People of Biafra is discourteous to  Nigeria as a country.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, also stated that the decision resulted in sabotaging the fight against terrorism and generally diminish Nigeria’s security.

On Tuesday in Abuja, Mohammed said the decision is unacceptable to Nigeria.

He says, “Let me say right away that this issue is within the scope of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and I am sure he will handle it the right way.”

The minister also explained that because he is the spokesman for the Federal Government of Nigeria, he will say that if indeed the report that the UK will grant asylum to supposedly persecuted IPOB and MASSOB members is true, then there is indeed an issue somewhere.

“Against the background of the fact that IPOB is not only prohibited but also identified as a terrorist organization here in Nigeria, the UK’s decision is inconsiderate of Nigeria as a nation.

He tags the UK’s decision as disrespectful because taking such a stand amounts to disrupting the fight against terrorism and generally undermining Nigeria’s security.

“It is not only unethical, but it is also unexplainable’’ he said.

The minister said that there had recently been increased attacks against security agencies in the South-East zone.

He said IPOB has been accused of being behind the attacks in spite of its denials

“For the UK to choose this time to give a helping hand to IPOB beggars, this calls to question the UK’s true intentions.

“If we can go down the memory lane, what the UK has done is like Nigeria giving asylum to members of the IRA before the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement,’’ he explained

In the guidelines, asylum is to be granted to members of IPOB who have been persecuted, a group that Nigeria had designated as a terrorist organization.

Also in the guidelines, asylum is to be granted to the Movement for the Actualisation of the independent State of Biafra.