Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, has asked Google to deny the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) access to its YouTube channel because the banned group uses the platform for “acts of violence and destabilization.”

The Minister, who made the appeal on Thursday during a courtesy visit by a Google team to his office in Abuja, said the group had been designated a proscribed terrorist group and should not have access to platforms where they could continue to spread hate and violence.

“We want Google to look into how to deal with proscribed groups using private and unlisted YouTube channels and YouTube livestreams, such as IPOB, which has been designated a terrorist organization by a competent court.”

“IPOB has used YouTube to continue acts of violence and destabilization against the Nigerian government.”

“Channels and emails containing the names of proscribed groups and their affiliates should not be permitted on Google platforms,” Mohammed stated.

According to Mohammed, Google platforms are also used by unscrupulous individuals or groups for subversive and nefarious activities, which should be discouraged by the company.

In response to the Minister, Google Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Government Affairs, and Public Policy, Charles Murito, stated that the platform has launched a program called “Trusted Flaggers” that trains citizens to track and engage with online content in order to flag content of serious concern.

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