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Tag: MASSOB

  • Cleric disassociates CAN from IPOB, MASSOB sit-at- home call

    Cleric disassociates CAN from IPOB, MASSOB sit-at- home call

    The Archbishop of the Enugu Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, says the clergy are not in support of the sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

    IPOB and MASSOB had urged the people to sit at home on May 30 to observe the groups anniversary.

    Chukwuma made this known at the the Democracy Day celebration and second year anniversary of Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu on Monday.

    The cleric, who spoke before offering the opening prayer of the democracy day, called on all people in South-East to go about their legitimate businesses, saying that the clergy were against the declaration.

    “Before I offer the opening prayer, let me first of all state the position of the clergy on the sit-at- home declaration by IPOB and MASSOB.

    “We are not in support of the call. We advise all to ignore it and go about their legitimate businesses,” he said.

    Chukwuma, whose clarification was applauded by the crowd, urged traders and workers to open their shops and ignore the call.

    He said the people of South-east would fair well and enjoy more and better dividends of democracy in a united Nigeria.

  • Ekweremadu to IPOB, MASSOB: sit-at-home should be optional

    Ekweremadu to IPOB, MASSOB: sit-at-home should be optional

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has advised that the sit-at-home order declared by some rights groups in the Southeast for tomorrow  should  be optional.

    The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) are behind the stay- at- home call to observe their anniversary.

    Ekweremaduwho spoke yesterday at an Inter-denominational church service at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, to commemorate 2017 Democracy Day and Governor David Umahi’s second year in office, noted that while the agitation and concerns of the groups were genuine, they should not be pursued with force or other forms of armed struggle.

    “Individuals who operate private businesses and want to stay-at-home on that day should stay, while those who want to operate their businesses should be allowed to do so.

    “I believe that civil and public workers should be ready to go to work on that day as I appeal that no group should force people to stay at home against their wishes,” he added.

    The deputy senate president called on the agitators to embrace dialogue and constructive engagement in pursuing their agitation; not coercion or other forms of armed struggle.

    “The struggles and concerns are genuine but with the collaboration of all and constructive engagement, we will surely get to our destination no matter how long it takes.

    “Black Americans agitated for a long time before Barack Obama became president in 2008, likewise in India, it took constructive engagement for the people to actualise their agitation.

    “South Africa despite racial disturbances and black oppression, employed constructive engagement and intervention of the western world and African interests such as Nigeria’s, to dismantle apartheid,” he said.

    Ekweremadu congratulated the people of Ebonyi on the second year in office of their governor.

    He noted that the state had mature politically and socially, adding that any indigene could aspire for any political office in the state.

    Umahi noted that no individual or group would force the citizens of the state to stay-at-home on May 30.

    “I have met the leadership of these groups on various occasions and discovered that most of their agitations are correct but the ways they seek to actualise them can be faulted.

    “I have also met the leadership of market unions in the state and we resolved that markets would be open on that day and no trader or any other individual will be molested,” he said.

    The governor said that the case of Ebonyi was different as the state had suffered untold marginalisation right from its days in old Anambra, Imo, Enugu and Abia states.

    “The deputy senate president is fighting marginalisation of the Igbos at the federal level; when this is addressed, we will start our own agitation of marginalisation as a state.

    “Ebonyi does not believe in regional government because we will continue suffering deprivation but believe in the restructuring of the country to address all imbalances,” he said.

    In his homily, Rev. Fr Abraham Nwali urged political and economic leaders in the state to build industries instead of embarking on ‘non-direct-impact’ projects such as hotels.

    “The governor should be supported in his desire to ensure that sachet water companies are constructed in the three senatorial zones of the state,’’ he said.

  • Biafra: Police arrest IPOB, MASSOB members in Ebonyi

    Biafra: Police arrest IPOB, MASSOB members in Ebonyi

    The police in Ebonyi State yesterday confirmed the arrest of some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in various parts of the state for alleged unlawful sensitization programme.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Jude Madu, told the News Agency of Nigeria that members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were similarly arrested.

    Madu said that the suspects were arrested for unlawfully sensitizing the public to stay at home on May 30, in observance of the group’s anniversary.

    “They would be charged to court and the command would ensure that they are duly prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “IPOB and MASSOB are illegal groups and did not get permission from the police to embark on such exercise which threatens the peace and security of the state.

    “The command with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Titus Lamorde, has commenced intensive sensitisation of the populace to disregard the sit-at-home directive and go about their lawful businesses,” he said.

    Madu warned members of the group not to carry out outlawed activities within the state before, during and after May 30, as the full weight of the law would be brought on any defaulter.

    “Any person or group found culpable would be arrested and duly prosecuted as the groups’ activities amount to mutiny or fighting a sitting and legally recognised government.

    “IPOB and MASSOB are techniques developed by some individuals to gain public interest and recognition as the former is even a breakaway organ of the latter.

    “These groups have not provided amenities or other forms of social security for the people they are directing to stay at home; it shows that their intentions are not sincere and must be rejected by all,” he said.

    He advised the groups that not everybody was interested in issues concerning secession as people still remember the horrors of the civil war and other upheavals in the country after then.

    According to him, they should realise that most people are not interested in their preaching, therefore, they should not force anybody to be involved in their illegal and unlawful practices.

    Madu called on traditional rulers and town unions across the state to assist the police in sensitizing the people and provide relevant information about the group’s activities.

    “The command has distributed various call contacts (numbers) to the public to report activities of these groups within this period, especially molestation, if they refuse heeding to the stay-at home order.

    “Any gathering of two or more people propagating the IPOB/MASSOB messages or executing related activities should be promptly reported to the police for immediate actions,” he said.

  • Police confirm arrest of IPOB, MASSOB members in Ebonyi

    Police confirm arrest of IPOB, MASSOB members in Ebonyi

    The Police in Ebonyi on Saturday confirmed the arrest of some members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in various part of the state for alleged unlawful sensitisation programme.

    The command’s spokesman, DSP Jude Madu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday that the arrested suspects also included members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

    Madu said that the suspects were arrested for unlawfully sensitising the public to stay at home on May 30, in observance of the group anniversary.

    “They would be charged to court and the command would ensure that they are duly prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “IPOB and MASSOB are illegal groups and did not get permission from the police to embark on such exercise which threatens the peace and security of the state.

    “The command with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Titus Lamorde, has commenced intensive sensitisation of the populace to disregard the sit-at-home directive and go about their lawful businesses,” he said.

    Madu warned members of the group not to carry out outlawed activities within the state before, during and after May 30, as the full weight of the law would be brought on any defaulter.

    “Any person or group found culpable would be arrested and duly prosecuted as the groups’ activities amount to mutiny or fighting a sitting and legally recognised government.

    “IPOB and MASSOB are techniques developed by some individuals to gain public interest and recognition as the former is even a breakaway organ of the latter.

    “These groups have not provided amenities or other forms of social security for the people they are directing to stay at home; it shows that their intentions are not sincere and must be rejected by all,” he said.

    He advised the groups that not everybody was interested in issues concerning secession as people still remember the horrors of the civil war and other upheavals in the country after then.

    According to him, they should realise that most people are not interested in their preaching, therefore, they should not force anybody to be involved in their illegal and unlawful practices.

    Madu called on traditional rulers and town unions across the state to assist the police in sensitising the people and provide relevant information about the group’s activities.

    “The command has distributed various call contacts (numbers) to the public to report activities of these groups within this period, especially molestation, if they refuse heeding to the stay-at home order.

    “Any gathering of two or more people propagating the IPOB/MASSOB messages or executing related activities should be promptly reported to the police for immediate actions,” he said.

    A NAN Correspondent who visited the state police command reports that the arrested IPOB members were upbeat and chanting solidarity songs.

  • Marking `Biafra day’ paralyses Onitsha

    Marking `Biafra day’ paralyses Onitsha

    The 17th anniversary celebration to mark the call for the republic of Biafra paralysed social and economic activities in Onitsha, Anambra on Monday.

    Members of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State Biafra (MASSOB) – Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) occupied major streets of Onitsha hoisting `Biafra’ flags.

    Some members who came from Nnewi, Awkuzu, Ogidi, Nkpor and Aguleri were seen moving on foot, in cars, tricycles and motorcycles which greatly slowed down vehicle and human traffic.

    Addressing the members, the Anambra North Zonal leader of MASSOB-BIM, Mr Vincent Iloh, reiterated the resolve of the group to sustain the agitation through peaceful means.

    “It is exactly 17 years today; what we in MASSOB-BIM are still saying through non-violence is for Biafrans to be granted independence from Nigeria.

    “That was what our great hero and the Peoples General, late Dim Chukwuemeka  Odumegwu Ojukwu tried to do in 1967 but was misunderstood.

    “This is what the new Biafran leader Chief Ralp Uwazurike has continued to say since 1999 without the use of force.

    “Until the needful is done, we will not relent.

    “We want Biafra because the resources of our land have been confiscated with military might to develop other areas while we are left to wallow in a state of despair,” Iloh said.

    The army, police, navy and civil defence were on the ground during the rally which lasted for several hours to forestall any breach of peace.

  • Police arrest 50 pro-Biafra agitators in Ebonyi

    Police arrest 50 pro-Biafra agitators in Ebonyi

    At least 50 members of the Biafra Independent Movement (MASSOB/BIM) were arrested by police in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, when the group staged the “New Biafra” commemoration rally.

    Over 2,000 people carrying Biafra flags flooded Abakaliki during the rally which saw policemen at strategic locations in the city.

    It was gathered that those arrested were pro-Biafra agitators who were coming from Ohaukwu and Onueke to join the rally in the state capital.

    The group had matched from the popular Spera-In-Deo junction to Presco junction in Abakaliki to commemorate Biafra independence.

    The MASSOB/BIM leader in the state, John Nwifuru, said the group was guarded by policemen to ensure the rally was not high jacked by hoodlums.

    Nwifuru assured that those arrested will be released, saying he has discussed with the state police commissioner on the matter.

    “Our rally was very successful and we didn’t have any problem despite the presence of mobile policemen that were deployed to the state capital early in the morning when we were converging for the rally. The police arrested 11 Biafra security boys at Ohaukwu and 16 in Nkwegu and others.

    “I have discussed with the CP and he assured me that those arrested will be released immediately. I want to thank him for supporting our event because policemen marched with us. Wherever we reached, they reached with us to ensure that we have no problem with anybody and we conducted ourselves orderly.

    Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has dissociated itself from the rally held by BIM across the South East states.

    MASSOB, in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Comrade Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, said the group members did not take part in the rally.

  • Division in MASSOB over Biafra independence day celebration

    Division in MASSOB over Biafra independence day celebration

    The Uchenna Madu-led Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has disowned today’s Biafra celebration announced by the Ralph Uwazuruike-led faction.

    The Madu-led group said it was wrong to celebrate Biafra independence on May 22, when the still-born republic was declared on May 30, 1967, adding that it has completed arrangements for its celebration on May 30.

    A statement by Madu reads: “The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) has reiterated its solemn oath for the actualisation and restoration of an independent Republic of Biafra.

    We reassure the people of Biafra that the actualisation and restoration of Biafra is sacrosanct and sacred. Every aspect of Biafra struggle must abhor deceit, self-glorification, tribal/religious sentiments, and love for mundane things.”MASSOB declares full and total support for the sit at home on May 30, to honour our gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for us.

    “MASSOB declares full and total support for the sit at home on May 30, to honour our gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for us.

    “We must continue to remember, honour and celebrate the gallantry and bravado of the Biafra soldiers, whom the world was astonished for their military exploits during the Nigeria/ Biafra war. Their bravery, military excellence, consistency, technological exploits and intelligences can never be forgotten or silenced.

    “MASSOB wishes to inform the people that we don’t have any Biafra anniversary program today; our anniversary is on May 30, which is Biafra day.

    “The sit at home calls for sober reflection on the way forward; it calls for individual and family prayers for speedy actualisation and restoration of Biafra. It will also reflect on building synergy and cohesion among the pro-Biafra groups in preparation for the coming referendum.

    “We also reiterate our earlier position that we are not attached to any group called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM). MASSOB is not BIM and BIM can never be MASSOB. MASSOB collaborates and works with other genuine pro-Biafra groups like IPOB, Lower Niger Congress, Eastern Peoples Congress, Biafra Peoples National Council, Joint Revolutionary Council and AFRA Descendants.”

  • MASSOB condemns ‘molestation’ of women in Abia

    Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu has condemned what they described as “harassment and molestation” of MASSOB and IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) women group in Abiriba, Abia State by soldiers.

    Reports that filtered into the cities of Umuahia, the state Capital and other parts of the state over the weekend from Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area have it that MASSOB/IPOB women stripped naked in protest of alleged harassment and molestation by soldiers of 14 Brigade.

    The actions of the soldiers, since it trickled into town have attracted criticisms from various persons, interest groups and civil society groups as well.

    Madu in a chat with newsmen in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state at the weekend described the actions of the soldiers as “primitive” and abuse of the women’s fundamental human rights.

    According to Madu, the women of the pro-Biafra groups were in Abiriba for a convention preparatory to the planned May 31 sit-at-home in honour of the Biafra heroes who died in the cause of the struggle for the region’s emancipation from Nigeria.

    “For them to attack or clampdown on women peaceful and armed less women that converged for Biafra is an act of primitivism. Nigeria security agents must be civil in their approach with members of the public especially when it concerns their fundamental human rights.

    “We really salute their (Women’s) courage. They have reenacted the consciousness of women struggle towards the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra. They have reenacted the famous 1929 Aba women’s riot. What they did at the weekend was a display of gallant attitude. As a matter of fact, they (women) have opened our eyes on another dimension towards our approach on Biafra actualisation. Secession of Biafra from Nigeria is a non-violence struggle and we have to apply every part of non-violent and non-civil disobedient system to attract the attention of the international community towards our plight,” Madu stated.

    When contacted, Army Public Relations Officer (APRO), Major Gbadomosi denied the allegations of harassment and molestation, stating that the women on their own decided to go nude.

  • MASSOB Anniversary: Biafra musicians to honour dead colleagues

    MASSOB Anniversary: Biafra musicians to honour dead colleagues

    Biafra musicians under the supervision of the Organization of Biafra Music and Film Authority (OBMFA) have chosen the May 22 Biafra anniversary date of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra/Biafra Independent Movement (MASSOB/BIM) to honour their dead colleagues.

    Speaking after visiting the headquarters of OBMFA at Amucha, Njaba –Orlu in Imo State, the director general of the organization, David Chinedu Eboson said the programme would also be used to commiserate with the families of fallen legendary Biafra musicians.

    Some of the musicians Eboson said will be honoured on the date include Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, Christophegus Ezewiro Obinna (Sir Warrior), Chief Oliver Akanite (Oliver de Coque) and Teddy Obinna.

    Others are Edu, the producer of Biafra songs; Chief Celestine Okwu, Rev Petty Obassy, Sam Loko, Pet Anne and Evangelists Obi Igwe, Chidi Ekpunobi, Okwara Ezema, Ndubuisi Kanu and Ifeanyi Ibeabuchi.

    The OBMFA director general said the artists chosen for the honour were those whose works have impacted positively on the lives of Biafran youths and not those whose works have so moral questions and impacted negatively on the people.

    “This honour is not for all late artists in Biafra land, it is for those whose works were genuine and impacted positively on the lives of the people and not the other way round.”

    He urged all musicians in Biafra land to come out enmass from May 22 to May 30 for the celebration of Biafra independence which he said was started by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike and MASSOB, insisting that independence celebrations are not done indoors.

    Eboson called on musicians in Biafra who had not registered to do so with OBMFA, promising to introduce a code that will ensure the songs produced in Biafra is in tandem with the people’s cultural value and morality.

     

     

  • Nnamdi Kanu meets MASSOB leaders

    Nnamdi Kanu meets MASSOB leaders

    The leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has met with the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB), Uchenna Madu and commended his group for its tenacity and uprightness in the struggle for Biafra.

    Speaking at his Afara Ukwa Umuahia North country home, Umuahia, when MASSOB leadership under Madu visited to rejoice with him over his freedom secured in the court, Kanu said that the struggle requires sincerity, consistency and selflessness.

    Kanu commended MASSOB for working in tandem with the principles and course which IOPB is pursing, namely fighting for the good of the people of Biafra without being violent thereby saving lives of Biafrans.

    He said that he was not in the struggle to be seen as the number one but believed in the collective effort and struggle for the emancipation of the people of Biafra, adding that he supports all platforms that genuinely pursue the course of Biafra.

    The IPOB leader recalled that all of them were in MASSOB for the struggle until their former leader derailed and commended Uchenna Madu for re-channeling MASSOB to the original course it was founded for and pledged the continued cooperation and collaboration of the two groups for the good of Biafra.

    Kanu said, “You can recall that we were all in MASSOB together with the aim of emancipation our people until the former leader Ralph Uwazurike derailed and thanked Madu for redirecting the group to its original course”.

    The IPOB leader thanked God that he was lucky not to have stayed as many years in Kuje Prison as Uchenna Madu who spent over five years in various Prisons in the course of the struggle.

    In his remarks, the MASSOB leader, Madu thanked God for granting Kanu freedom and commended him for his “consistency and selflessness in the struggle for the realization of Biafra the country of their dream.

    Madu also lauded him, on the way he pilots the affairs of IPOB and assured him that the synergy between IPOB and MASSOB would continue in the struggle for the emancipation of people of Biafra.

    The MASOB leader however, advised him to remain focused as the leader and not to make the mistake made by Uwazuruike, saying that “God raised him to lead the struggle after Uwazurike derailed”.

    Madu said, “MASSOB will continue to support you with prayers. MASSOB will continue to identify with IPOB for the good of the struggle”, Madu said.

    Madu was accompanied to the visit by some members of executive committee.