After being reprimanded by the FG, UK withdraws asylum policy for IPOB and MASSOB

The British Government has pulled down a notice it published regarding its asylum policy in relation to separatist pro-Biafra groups including; Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of Biafra (MASSOB), and their splinter groups.

In the ‘Country Policy and Information Note Nigeria: Biafran secessionist groups’ released on Tuesday, April 20, the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), had directed its decision makers to consider if a person “who actively and openly supports IPOB is likely to be at risk of arrest and detention, and ill-treatment which is likely to amount to persecution.”

Recall that the federal government had described the decision as disrespectful, inexplicable, and a move that would sabotage Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and undermine its security.

In an email sent to Radio Now and signed by Hannah Dawson, senior communications officer-Newsdesk at the Home office, the British government said the policy is being reviewed and will be uploaded once it is ready. The UK government did not, however, give a  time frame as to when the updated policy will be uploaded to their website.