The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MASSOB

  • MASSOB expels Uwazuruike, picks new leadership

    The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on Monday inaugurated a new leadership for the Movement, after the national officers including the zonal and regional administrators of the group formerly announced the expulsion of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike as MASSOB national leader.

    The new leadership was headed by the group’s former National Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, while Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, emerged as National Secretary.

    MASSOB at the well attended ceremony, warned Uwazuruike “to stop parading himself as MASSOB leader or using Ojukwu’s name to dupe Ndigbo or garner personal fame to pursue his political ambition.”

    Reading a resolution and communiqué signed by the national officers and administrators at Okwe, MASSOB’s Headquarters, the New National Secretary, stated that “the development is to redeem and revive the lost spirit and confidence of the Biafra revolution in our people and Biafra friends and sympathizers.”

    “A vote of no confidence and total rejection has been passed on Ralph Uwazuruike. His inability to sustain and maintain Ojukwu’s dream of Biafra actualization, his deviation into the mainstream of Nigerian politics and using the Biafra struggle to enhance his selfish political ambition in Nigeria are the reasons for our rejection of his association with Biafra struggle,” the communiqué added.

  • MASSOB rejects peace talks

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has rejected the resolutions reached in the stakeholders meeting last Sunday.

    Southeast governors, Igbo leaders, lawmakers and stakeholders met last Sunday to discuss the agitation for the state of Biafra and the release of Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who addressed reporters after the meeting at the Government House in Enugu State, said a committee would  dialogue with the agitators with a view to ending the crisis.

    But MASSOB, in a statement by its National Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, rejected the resolutions, arguing that they did not address the major issue for the protests – the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu. It said the only way to end the crisis was the unconditional release of Kanu.

    The group expressed worry that Southeast governors met in their usual characteristic way without their Southsouth counterparts, where Biafra uprising also holds sway.

    It reads: “MASSOB is not satisfied with the meeting of Igbo leaders on Sunday because it did not address the seriousness of the plight of Nnamdi Kanu.

    “How can revered Igbo leaders waste the day in a marathon meeting without discussing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?

    ‘’Are they afraid of the northern oligarchy or the western alliance with the North or President Muhammadu Buhari? The governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo leaders have proved they’re not representing the interest and demands of Ndigbo.

    “They have shown their soft mind, inferiority complex and loyalty to our oppressors but we shall prove to Nigeria that they are not in charge of affairs in Igboland.

    “The Department of State Security (DSS) is buying time for a long incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu to impress Buhari and northern political cabals that they can frustrate the Biafra revolution.

    “Incarcerating Kanu will only motivate, inspire and increase the morale of Biafra agitators. How long shall they continue to detain an innocent man, who already commands the respect of Ndigbo, even in detention?

    “MASSOB and IPOB members are not protesting the infrastructural decay in Igboland or the non-inclusion of Igbo in major political appointments, but the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who represents the genuine desire of the people of the eastern region.

    “Other demands and clamour of Ndigbo as a result of the political tension are good but the major one is the release of Nnamdi Kanu.”

  • MASSOB rejects Governor’s resolutions

    MASSOB rejects Governor’s resolutions

    Efforts by the Southeast governors and Stakeholders to end the on-going protests by members of the Movement for Actualization for Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) over the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu and other Igbo activists may hit a brick wall as MASSOB Wednesday rejected the resolutions of the governors.

    A meeting of the elders including present and past governors, Ministers of Igbo extraction national assembly members and other Leaders had in Enugu resolved to set up a committee to dialogue with the pro- Biafra agitators.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State who spoke to reporters on behalf of the Stakeholders after their marathon meeting at Government House, Enugu on Sunday said that a committee would be set up to dialogue with the pro-Biafra agitators with a view to ending the crisis.

    But MASSOB in a statement rejected the resolutions arguing that it did not address the major issue for the protests- the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by government.

    The release signed by Uchenna Madu, National Director of Information of MASSOB
    said the only way to end the crisis is the unconditional release of Kanu.

    The group also said it is worrisome that South East governors met in their usual characteristic without their South-South counterparts where Biafra uprising also holds sway.

    The statement reads: “MASSOB is not satisfied with all the meeting of Igbo leaders on Sunday because of no seriousness on the plight of Nnamdi Kanu”.

    “How can revered Igbo leaders waste a whole day in a marathon meeting without discussing our simple demand of Nnamdi Kanu’s release?”.

    “Are they afraid of Northern oligarchy, western alliance with north or President Buhari?. The governors Ohaneze and other Igbo leaders have proved that they’re not representing the interest and demands of Ndigbo”.

    “They have shown their soft mind, inferiority complex and loyalty to our oppressors, we shall prove to Nigeria that the Igbo governors, national assembly members, other Igbo leaders are not truly in charge of affairs in Igboland.”

    “DSS is buying time for long incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu to impress Buhari and Northern Political cabals that they can frustrate Biafra revolution”.

    “Long incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu by DSS will only motivate, inspire and increase the
    moral of Biafran agitators. How long shall they continue to detain an innocent man who already command the massive respect of Ndigbo even in detention?.

    “MASSOB and IPOB members are not demonstrating or protesting against infrastructural decay in Igboland or non inclusion of Igbos in major political appointments but the release of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu who represent the genuine desire of the people eastern region”.

    “Other demands and clamor of Ndigbo as a result of the current political tension are good but major one now is the release of Nnamdi Kanu.”

  • Pro-Biafra protest rocks Imo

    Pro-Biafra protest rocks Imo

    Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and a faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), as well as other pro-Brafra groups, at last penetrated Owerri, the Imo State capital, crippling economic activities and vehicular movements as they protested the continued detention of the Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu.

    It would be recalled that the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha,  at the wake of the protests, absolved the Southeast Governors and Igbo leaders of any complicity,  adding that the separatists does not enjoy the support of majority of the Igbo. Also the Governor had stepped up security in the state to prevent the pro-Biafra groups from holding the protest in the state.

    However, as early as 6am Friday, IPOB members who reportedly trekked from Aba in neighbouring Abia state and Port Harcourt, apparently to beat security checks, were converged at strategic positions in the state capital from where they linked up with their members on ground to begin the protest.

    Although there was heavy security presence, including battle ready soldiers and heavily armed mobile Policemen who drove behind the protesters in their vehicles, there was obvious anxiety among the residents as shop owners hurriedly locked up their shops, while motorists parked out of the road to make way for the long procession.

    Meanwhile the protesters numbering over 10 thousand, marched through major streets in the state capital, displaying the Biafra flag and placards with various inscriptions such as, ‘FG free Nnamdi Kanu now’, ‘Kanu is Biafra and we are Kanu’, ‘we need Biafra now’ , among others and chanting  war songs.

    One of the protesters, Emmanuel Onyema, said that the protests will spread to other parts of the country and sustained untill Kanu is unconditionally released by the Federal Government.

    The factional MASSOB Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, said that they were in solidarity with IPOB because Kanu is a true BIafran.

    He said that “the protest will continue as a platform to send the message across that we need Biafra, we are not secured in Nigeria, and we are feeling that our future is secured not in Nigeria. Our demonstrations shall remain non violent, today we are in Owerri and by the time we finish in the Southeast and Kanu is not released we will match to Abuja so that we can all be detained because we are ready to die for what beljeve in.”

    According to him, “we are tired of being slaves in Nigeria, what is happening now shows that Biafra is ready to go so let them give us Biafra and release our leader immediately.”

    At the Government House, there was equally heavy security presence apparently to forestall any attempt to invade the Government House.

  • Uwazuruike disowns Radio Biafra boss

    The leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, on Monday disclosed that the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested on Sunday by the Department of State Security (DSS), does not belong to the movement.

    Uwazuruike, who spoke through his Assistant Director of information, Mr.  Sunday Okereafor, in Owerri, Imo State, described Kanu as a rebel who had long been expelled by MASSOB for inciting violence among members.

    “Kanu’s arrest has nothing to do with the struggle for a sovereign state of Biafra,” the MASSOB leader stated.

    He continued that Kanu broke the group non violence approach and was summarily dismissed.

    Uwazuruike, however, dismissed the allegation that MASSOB was behind the arrest of the Biafra Radio boss, adding that the movement cannot meddle into unnecessary matter.

    Meanwhile, a faction of MASSOB had condemned the arrest, insisting that it could cause the country “diplomatic damage.”

  • MASSOB condemns Kanu’s arrest

    •IPOB demands release of its leader

    A faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the arrest of the Biafra Radio Director, Nnadi Kanu, saying it will cause more diplomatic harm to Nigeria’s image.

    Kanu was allegedly arrested at the weekend in Lagos by men of the Department of State Security (DSS) on arrival from the United Kingdom.

    In a statement yesterday, factional leader, Uchenna Mdau said the arrest would draw sympathy for Kanu and the Biafran cause from internal and external observers. He maintained that it was an indication that Radio Biafra had become a factor of reckoning in Nigeria.

    He accused the movement’s factional leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike of masterminding the arrest, even as he warned the Federal Government to release him or face global demonstration.

    Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, Abia State, have called for the release of its leader and director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

    A group member, who pleaded for anonymity, condemned the arrest, saying the group would do everything possible to ensure that Kanu was released.

    “We are doing everything we can to secure his release. I won’t tell you what it is because we don’t want to be caught unawares. We know they (government) are not sleeping and we are not sleeping too.

    “In a few days, our plans will play out and I can assure you that even if soldiers were to block the streets, it would not stop us from registering our displeasure at Kanu’s arrest.

    “He is only a freedom fighter who believes that his people have been marginalised. We are still consulting and we will not relent. We will carry on with the struggle for the emancipation of the land of Biafra.

    “The Federal Government has no option but to release him because we will engage it in a show down at the appropriate time. His arrest will not deter us from doing whatever we want to do.”

  • ACF backs Buhari on stolen funds recovery

    ACF backs Buhari on stolen funds recovery

    President Muhammadu Buhari has again received support from Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), on the steps taken so far by his administration to recover stolen public funds.

    The ACF described the President’s steps as appropriate and timely to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of stolen public funds, saying the method would “sanitize the system and revive prudence and discipline in the conduct of public officers”.

    The northern socio-cultural group also applauded the United States of America, United Kingdom, Germany, France and other western nations for helping Nigeria to track down, recover and repatriate stolen funds.

    The ACF Board of Trustees headed by elder Statesman, Mallam Adamu Fika made the observations on Thursday in Kaduna at the end of its meeting with members from the 19 northern states of the country.

    According to Mallam  Fika, who is also the Wazirin Fika in a statement: “The meeting therefore applauded the international cooperation and support the Federal Government is receiving in the effort to recover and repatriate all stolen funds”.

    The ACF said it noted with ‘dismay recent embarrassing and divisive statements from some elder statesmen which are capable of causing disaffection among the various components of Nigeria and called on such elements to employ civility and caution in their utterances for peace and harmony to prevail in our fledgeling democracy’.

    “It (ACF) was particularly unhappy with the activities of MASSOB and other ethnic agitators who are fond of calling for disintegration of the country after 55 years of independence”, the ACF lamented.

    The statement reads: “ACF reaffirmed its belief in one Nigeria and the need for all hands to be on deck to move the nation forward.

    “That the effort of the Federal Government in tackling the Boko Haram insurgency through the joint multinational military task force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, global counter terrorism support by the international community and the gallantry of our military and other security agencies is most highly commended.

    “It particularly salute the Military for repelling the recent attack on our troops at Goniri in Yobe state on Tuesday 6th October, 2015 where many terrorists were killed and dangerous  weapons recovered.

    “It noted that the success being recorded by the military and other security agencies in combating insurgency in the northeast must have been as a result of the support and encouragement from the Federal Government and the determination of the field commanders to end the insurgency within the time frame given by Mr. President.

    “The meeting also condemned the rampant kidnapping and ritual killings of innocent people and urged the security agencies to not only track down perpetrators of such crime but ensure that they are brought to book.

    “That the steps taken by the Federal Government to investigate, prosecute, perpetrators and repatriate stolen public are not only appropriate and timely but will also sanitize the system and revive prudence and discipline in the conduct of public officers.

    “The meeting therefore applauded the international cooperation and support the Federal Government is receiving in the effort to recover and repatriate all stolen funds.

    “That to boost economic activities and generate employment opportunities, the meeting appealed to the state governments to directly channel Federal allocations to the Local Government Councils to enable them execute projects that have direct bearing on the welfare and development of the people rather than the use of joint accounts that have in most cases been a conduit pipe for misapplication and abuse of state funds.

    “It urged State governments to respect the constitutional autonomy of the local government councils for grassroots development.

    “The meeting also called upon all tiers of government to address the issue of payment of back log of domestic debts especially local contractors bills, workers and pensioners emoluments which will equally revive the economic activities and make it to thrive.”

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  • Anambra Police nabs fake DSP

    Anambra Police nabs fake DSP

    • Confirms  arrest of 43 MASSOB Members
    • As AIG Gwary storms Anambra

    Anambra state police command, has arrested a 32-year old man, Abdul Makong, a native of Gari-Lamido in Taraba state for impersonating as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

    According to the state Police Commissioner, Hosea Karma, the arrest followed a tip off when he went to the palace of a traditional ruler in Awka-South Local Government Area of the state, urging the people to bring some money so that he could recruit interested members into the force in the community.

    He said the impersonator had been going about extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public to assist them get recruited into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    Karma made this known on Tuesday in Awka, after receiving assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 9 Umuahia, Usman Gwary.

    Furthermore, he disclosed that the command had also arrested 43 members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

    While parading the suspected fake police man, Karma said that the suspect had just finished a prison term in April after he was convicted in 2013 in connection with the same offence.

    He however, warned members of the public to beware of the like of Makong, adding that recruitment into the Nigeria police force had transparent process devoid of any corrupt manipulation.

    Speaking with reporters, the suspect confessed that he just came out of the prison last April, adding that he was a graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, where he obtained a degree certificate in Political Science in 2008.

    He alleged that he was forced into crime because he could not get a gainful employment opportunity, adding that it was a friend who lured him into impersonation.

    Addressing officers and men of the state police command yesterday, the AIG, Usman Gwary said that his visit was in response to the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Solomon Arase that he should tour police headquarters in the zone to lecture them on the new security policy of the current administration.

    He said that South East zone from the recent investigation conducted by a special team set up by the IG, was rated among the most peaceful zones in the country.

    Gwary however, warned officers and men of the state command not to condone act that would compromise peaceful security atmosphere prevailing in the state.

    Furthermore, he warned them to ensure that they do not allow MASSOB members to disturb the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state, even as he commended the state police Command in its efforts in flushing out criminal elements from the area.

    Again, the Police boss Urged them to adopt religiously the various security policies marshaled out by the IG.

    He also called on the police command to work seriously in collaboration with other sister agencies, while commending the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano for the various forms of support his administration had given the police command.

  • MASSOB dares govt as police take over Uwazuruike’s home

    •Police parade 43 members in Anambra

    The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has boasted that the Federal Government cannot stop the group’s activities, which it said are non-violent.

    MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha was reacting to a fresh siege on the Owerri home of the movement’s leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, by men of the Imo State Police Command

    According to Mocha, the renewed attacks against members confirmed government’s plot to imprison Uwazuruike and other senior officials.

    “If Olusegun Obasanjo could not stop MASSOB in the eight years he was in power, Buhari also cannot stop us.”

    The group’s monthly meeting at Uwazuruike’s residence was aborted. It was gathered that as early as 6am yesterday, policemen, in over ten Hilux vans, were stationed at strategic junctions leading to the Ojukwu Memorial Library, the venue of the meeting.

    Chief Uwazuruike said police’ presence at the venue stopped the group’s meeting.

    “We were supposed to hold our national meeting today (Tuesday) but I was informed that policemen have taken over the venue. I wonder what the police is doing there because MASSOB members are not criminals or thugs, they do they disturb anyone.

    “I learnt that workers in the Ojukwu centre could not even access their office,” he said.

    Police spokesman Andrew Enwerem said the action was in line with the Inspector-General’s directive to increase visibility in the states.

    He insisted that the police was not witch- hunting the Movement, but was trying to flush out criminal elements.

    The Anambra State Police Command yesterday paraded 43 members of the Movement arrested during the 16th year anniversary celebration on Sunday.

    Commissioner of Police Hosea Karma said 15 of the 43 were arrested in Ogbaru while the others were arrested in Nnewi. He reiterated that there would be no hiding place for them.

    He urged the people to go about their businesses without hindrance or fear of molestation.

    Two of the paraded members, Ugochukwu Ugwoke and Chinedu Ukoha, denied behaving violently.

     

     

     

     

  • Reject Buhari’s appointments, MASSOB tells Ndigbo

    Reject Buhari’s appointments, MASSOB tells Ndigbo

    The Ralph Uwazurike-led faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has called on Igbo politicians to reject any appointment that might be offered them under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    Rivers South zonal leader Sunday Kalu-Amuzie spoke after a thanksgiving service to mark the movement’s 16th year anniversary.

    Amuzie said opportunities abound in the Biafran nation for any position or portfolios they might want, urging them to come back home and occupy them with ease.

    “We are confident that our desire on Biafra has been realised and this informed today’s celebration.

    “We are convinced that God supports our agitation and is guiding our step towards its realisation soon. This is why we call on our people to come home, because what they seek in Abuja is at home.”

    [ad id=”403656″]“The Ndigbos who are lobbying for appointments into Buhari’s cabinet should stop forthwith, as there is no need for that. The Biafran nation is already in our hands; they should reject any appointment that might be given to them and come home to help build Biafra,” he said.

    Amuzie noted that God had perfected the birth of the new nation, which comprised the 11 states of the former eastern region.

    Officiating minister Pastor David Achi said God told him Biafra was in his programme and that conviction informed his interactions with the group.

    “The crowd that defiled the rains for this programme today is evidence that God supports MASSOB. The people are convinced of this; if I am not convinced of what I heard from God, I would not have identified with them.

    “It took me several years, even after God spoke, to make up my mind to join because I didn’t want to make mistakes,” Achi said.