France has denied the claim by the Nigerian government that the financial headquarters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is in that country.
The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had claimed on Wednesday that IPOB drew its funding from a financier based in France.
“Let me tell you, the financial headquarters is in France, we know…You have to block the sources of finance.” the minister had reportedly said.
But the French embassy in Abuja said it is surprised by the minister’s claim, adding that it stands ready to examine any information which could support the allegation.
The embassy, in a statement by its Political Counselor Claude Abily, said it has no knowledge of IPOB’s presence in France, adding that the Nigerian authorities never cross-checked with it on the issue.
France, she stressed, cooperates with Nigeria in the field of security and strongly supports its unity.
The statement 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 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.