French Government Denies ties to IPOB

The French government via its Embassy has dismissed the recent claim that France is the financial headquarters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The French embassy in Abuja did not hide words as it expressed shock at the recent statement made by Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, where he suggested that France is the “financial headquarters” of the separatist group.

The Embassy’s First Counsellor on Political Affairs and Communication, Claude Abily disclosed that the Federal Government had not reached out to them before the public revelation in a statement he signed.

He further challenged that the government should provide conclusive evidence to substantiate its public claims.
He said, “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 was 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.”