The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday condemned the alleged religious persecution, harassment and arrest of its members at Shalom Synagogue Church of Israel in Aba, Abia State.
The group said it was unfortunate that the Federal Government and its security operatives, especially the Department of State Services (DSS) and Police, have reduced themselves to playing the role of religious police. It said they have effectively constituted themselves as instruments with which enemies of Israel, within the corridors of power in Nigeria, are now using to suppress those who practice Judaism.
“It is on record that IPOB’s activities are firmly anchored on the finest Judeo-Christian traditions, which have made Biafrans and IPOB, in particular, the target of these state sponsored indiscriminate and arbitrary arrests of innocent civilians by agents of government. There has been repeated raids of synagogues and places of worship in Aba and Igweocha (Port Harcourt), respectively.
“Security operatives, whose constitutional role is to protect life and property, have now turned to instruments of opprssion against innocent civilians.
“Arresting members of Shalom Christian Church because they are connected to the Jews in Israel is religious discrimination of the worst kind. Every religion has a root and, inas much as nobody can deny that Saudi Arabia is the root of Islam, nobody can deny that Israel is the foundation of both Judaism and later Christianity. Discrimination based on religious affiliation to Israel is misplaced and a crime against the very principles of freedom of worship and association.
