IPOB: Diplomatic Row Brews As France Challenges FG To Substantiate Allegation

France, on Thursday, denied statement made by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed that the Financial headquarters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is located in the country.

The country’s reaction was contained in a statement by Claude Abily, the Political Counsellor of the Embassy of France made available to newsmen in Abuja.

Recall that Mohammed had claimed that the federal government had information that the financial headquarters of the proscribed group is in France.

“Let me tell you, the financial headquarters is in France, we know, but you see, can you as a government stop sending money to your parents? You have to block the sources of finance that is what I said recently,” he said.

In a swift response, the country said it is shocked by the statement, adding that they “stand ready to examine any information which could support this statement”.

The statement read, “The Embassy of France was surprised by the statement made yesterday by the Minister of Information and Culture indicating that the “financial headquarters” of IPOB were in France.

“We don’t have any knowledge of a particular presence of IPOB in France and the Nigerian authorities never got in touch with the Embassy on this point.

“We stand ready to examine any information which could support this statement.

“Furthermore, we would like to reiterate that France actively cooperates with Nigeria in the field of security and that we strongly support the unity of the country.”