Britain denies supporting Biafra
BRITAIN has said it does not support the
agitation for the creation of a Biafran nation
from Nigeria.
In a statement issued yesterday and made
avaliable to Daily Sun, the British High Com­
mission, Abuja, explained that the position of the
UK government during the civil war was a matter
of historical record. “The UK Government’s posi­
tion, which reflected the Charter of the
Organization of African Unity, was to recognise
the borders laid down at Independence,” the High
Commission’s Press & Public Affairs Officer, Joe
Abuku said.
“The Biafran War caused great suffering and the
UK supported the reconciliation work that
followed the conflict. The UK supports the
territorial integrity of Nigeria and President
Buhari’s commitment to work for a secure and
prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians,” he added.
Campaigners for Biafra have been staging
protests over the arrest and detention of Radio
Biafra host, Nnamdi Kanu by the authorities in
Abuja. Kanu is a dual citizen of both the UK and
Nigeria. Commenting on his detention, Abuku
said the UK High Commission has a standing
position stating thus: “The British government
only provides consular assistance to dual
nationals in the country of their other nationality
in exceptional circumstances.
“If the High Commission is approached for
consular assistance by a British National in
Nigeria who also holds a Nigerian passport, the
level of support that could be offered in their
case would be discussed with the individual
concerned.”
Meanwhile, agency reports said the expressed
position of the British High commission tallies
with a widely-circulated letter written by UK
Minister of State, Grant Shapps, affirming a
similar position concerning Biafra agitation. That
letter was written in response to MP Micheal
Meacher, following an inquiry by one of Mr.
Meacher’s constituents who had written to
inquire about the detention of Radio Biafra host,
Nnamdi Kanu.
Mr. Shapps wrote the letter to an MP, Micheal
Meacher, in response to an inquiry by one of Mr.
Meacher’s constituents who had written to
inquire about the detention of Kanu. “We are not
aware of any institutionalized persecution of any
people by the Nigerian authorities,” he declared.
“The position of the British Government during
the Biafran War is a matter of historical record,”
he recalled. “Our position, which reflected the
Charter of the Organization of African Unity, was
to recognise the borders laid down at Indepen­
dence. There is no question that the Biafran War
caused great suffering and the UK supported the
reconciliation work that followed the conflict and
continues to support efforts to reduce violence in
Nigeria today.”
According to Mr. Shapps, “The UK fully supports
the territorial integrity of Nigeria and President
Buhari’s commitment to work for a secure and
prosperous Nigeria for all Nigerians. We share
the concern of President Buhari and all Nigerians
about threats to Nigeria’s stability and are
working with Nigeria to help tackle these threats,
including Boko Haram. Reports quoted Abuku as
saying he could not confirm the authenticity of
the Hon. Grant Shapps letter as it is not their
practice to confirm or deny the authenticity of
leaked documents.
AT least 16 people died in the Pakistani city of
Lahore after a factory under construction
collapsed.
Reports said emergency services were worried
that as many as 150 workers could be trapped
under the rubble. Cries for help from under the
debris at the factory were heard at the site,
officials told The Express Tribune.
Two floors were operational while a third was
being built, according to reports. The factory
used to make shopping bags is located in the
Sundar Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the
city. The Dawn newspaper reported that some
under-age workers were employed there although
this was not officially confirmed.