Ibos queuing to register; being photographed; thumb-printing documents.




Initials DHC/VS/MGT/OS



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Background: Federal authorities in Lagos yesterday (Thursday) began compulsory registration of Ibo tribesmen living in the city. Ibos are the dominant tribal group living in Biafra, the name taken by the breakaway eastern region of Nigeria.

All Ibos living in and around Lagos are being provided with identity cards which they must present on demand. The move is part of the Government's measures for tightening security in federal-held areas of the country and curbing acts of sabotage by disloyal Ibos.

The exact number of Ibos living in Lagos is not known, but an estimated 30,000 live in the industrial suburb of Ikeja.

Ibos began queuing outside the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence organisation early yesterday. Hundreds of them were photographed on coin-operated machines.

The photographers were attached to officials identity cards which also contained a signature or thumb-print.

Fighting is still going on the west of Nigeria between Federal and Biafran troops. Although successive claims and counter-claims have confused the progress of the war, it is believed the Biafrans may now be poising themselves for a breakthrough into areas of Federal control.