IPOB Amongst Top 10 Deadliest Terror Groups Worldwide: Report

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) has ranked the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world in 2022. 

The GTI report, which is published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), stated that indigenous group - IPOB was responsible for 57 deaths in the year 2022, from 40 attacks with 16 persons injured.

This places IPOB in the 10th position among the top 20 deadliest terror groups in 2022. 

The report said “ The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), designated as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government in 2017, recorded their deadliest year in 2022. 

“They were responsible for 40 attacks and 57 deaths in 2022, an increase from 26 attacks and 34 deaths the year prior. IPOB is a separatist movement with many factions, many of which are seeking a peaceful succession from Nigeria”.

 “The impact of terrorism continues to decline in Nigeria; with total deaths falling by 23 per cent, decreasing from 497 in 2021 to 385 in 2022. The number of terrorist attacks in Nigeria also fell considerably, with 120 incidents recorded in 2022 compared to 214 in 2021. This is the lowest number of terror attacks and deaths since 2011,” said the report. 

 “The military overtook law enforcement as the most targeted group in 2022. Military personnel were targeted in a quarter of all attacks, followed by civilians at 24 per cent, and law enforcement at 18 per cent. Despite this, half of all terrorism deaths in Nigeria in 2022 were civilians”.

“ISWA is now the most prominent group in Borno State, recording 40 incidents that resulted in 168 deaths in 2022, compared to Boko Haram’s six incidents and 63 deaths”.

“The state, however, remains the hardest-hit region in Nigeria for terrorism, accounting for 60 per cent of all terror-related deaths in 2022”.

Sitting at the top of the 20 deadliest terror groups in 2022 is the Islamic State (IS). They were responsible for 1045 deaths, 410 attacks and 644 injuries. 

IPOB Protests Non-release Of Kanu, Threatens Election Boycott

Members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB on Friday protested in Aba, Abia State over the non-release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government.

The protesters vowed not to allow the 2023 election hold in the South East if their leader was not released and Biafra granted to them.

They urged Nigeria to forget 2023 election in South East “if our leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is still in DSS custody”.

The protest which was held in Abia South local government areas was peaceful, non-violent and was monitored by security agencies.

The protesters warned that they would be forced to not only shutdown the economy of the state and South East, but the entire country until their leader was released from the detention.

“Some of the courts asked that they should take our leader back to Kenya where they illegally abducted him from.

“This is part of our renewed warning signal to the federal government that they should forget 2023 elections in the southeast if they continue to detain Nnamdi Kanu”, the protesters said.

13 Passengers Attempting To Beat Sit-at-home Burnt To Death

No fewer than 13 people got burnt to death on Sunday night in an accident involving a Toyota bus and a trailer at 4-Corners Junction, near Enugu metropolis, Enugu State.

The victims were burnt beyond recognition as the bus boarding them from Imo to Adamawa State, had a head-on collision with a trailer and led to an immediate explosion claiming their lives.

The victims were said to be attempting to beat the Monday’s sit-at-home order in solidarity with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu over continued detention by the Federal Government when the bus collided with the trailer.

The accident, said to have occurred at about 10.30pm close to  the army checkpoint at 4-Corners. The accident attracted the soldiers, who made effort to rescue the victims but all effort was futile.

It was gathered that soldiers alerted the officials of Road Safety and Fire Service(FRSC), but their quick response could not save the victims who were burnt beyond recognition.