The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)

  • 2 die in Police/MASSOB clash in Onitsha

    Two members of the Chief Ralph Uwazuruike led Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), reportedly lost their lives at her 19th anniversary celebration in Onitsha.

    The event which reportedly turned bloody following a clash with the Police, led to the arrest of over 10 members of the movement while about 15 sustained varying degrees of bullet wounds.

    Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, Ogbaru Regional Administrator of BIM-MASSOB, Mr Amadi Ifeanyi (aka Ochiagha), wondered why police would open fire on a non-violent organisation.

    He said, “We were hoisting our flag at about 2am Thursday morning, at Upper Iweka axis in preparation for the anniversary when the police stormed the place in three Hilux vans and allegedly opened fire on us at a close range, which resulted in the killing of the two members instantly.

    “They arrested 10 of us and over 15 got bullet wounds, even when they knew that we are a non-violent organisation struggling for a Biafran state”

    Amadi who spoke through his Director of Finance, in Ogbaru, Ezeaka Martins, identified those killed as Innocent Okoye and Uche Ezinwanne, demanding for the release of their corpses.

    Also speaking, the Ogbaru Director of Security, Chuks Nnaedozie, gave the names of those injured and hospitalized as Clifford Nwankwo, Ndubuisi Ikpeazu Aloy Ibeh, and others yet to be identified.

    On his part, Regional administrator for Onitsha North, Christian Umeaka revealed that one of his members had not been seen since he was arrested by the police when he went to hoist the flag.

    “No amount of intimidation would stop us from struggling for a Biafran state,” he vowed.

    Reacting, the Police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Mohammed said 12 suspects were arrested and over fifty flags with different inscriptions of IPOB/MASSOB and Biafran independent movements (BIM) recovered as exhibits.

    He said the arrests were made following report that indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) moved out in large numbers along Asaba-onitsha express way in Onitsha at about 11pm with dangerous weapons.

    He added that group hoisted flags of the proscribed group on poles and billboards in the area.

    “Following the report, Police operatives rushed to the scene in order to prevent them from mounting the flags but they engaged the Police with catapults and stones.

    Mohammed continued, “On the 22/05/2019 at about 7am, there was another intelligence report that some misguided elements suspected to be IPOB members were sighted at various locations mounting Biafran Flags along Ekwulobia -Uga road in Aguata LGA of Anambra State.

    “Police patrol teams pursued them and arrested twelve suspects while others escaped.

    “Exhibits recovered include 72 Biafran flags and items with biafran inscriptions. Case under investigation.

    He insisted that the pro-biafran group remained a proscribed organisation and its activities remained illegal, assuring the Command’s commitment to enforcing law and order in the state.

  • Police warn IPOB/MASSOB, others on protest, use of siren in Abia

    Police warn IPOB/MASSOB, others on protest, use of siren in Abia

    The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has warned members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other pro-Biafra groups planning to embark on any form of protest to rescind from such action.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Command (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna in a telephone interview with our reporter on Wednesday also debunked speculations making rounds that they (police) arrested and detained members of the people of MASSOB and BIM (Biafra Independent Movement)

    According to Ogbonna, “The information at our disposal was that one of our sister agencies arrested some members of MASSOB and other pro-Biafra group on the day of their protest which I would not want to comment about. But as we speak, I am yet to receive information from any division that they arrested members of MASSOB and that is the much I can tell you.”

    The PPRO who said that the police was doing everything within its powers to ensure that residents of Aba and the state go about their businesses without fear of intimidation from any quarters stated that the command would not fold its arms to watch anyone hide under any guise to foment trouble or cause breach of peace in the state.

    He said that the warning was part of the police proactive steps in ensuring that Abia remains calm and conducive for business activities to thrive in any part of the state.

    “It is naturally expected that nobody should take laws into his/her own hands as to coarse other law abiding citizens into a demonstration under any guise. Specifically, IPOB, MASSOB and other associations thinking along that line are better warned because doing otherwise shall be met with the full weight of the law.”

    The Police spokesman also disclosed that the command has similarly imposed ban on the use of siren in the state especially by unauthorized persons in the state.

    Ogbonna who lamented indiscriminate use of siren in the state by individuals said that the command has directed any person(s) not permitted by law to use siren in the state to dismantle them and stressed that anyone caught forthwith by police in any part of the state would be arrested and treated according to the law that prohibited indiscriminate and illegal use of siren in the state.

    “For purpose of clarity, those entitled to the use of siren in the State are: The executive Governor (of the State), the Assistant Inspector General of Police, The Commissioner of Police,
    The Brigade Commander (14 Brigade Ohafia), The Fire Service and Ambulances when on emergency duties.

    “Persons outside the personalities/Institutions mentioned above in the state having siren on their vehicles are advised to dismantle it or be made to face the Law.”

    However, an official of MASSOB who spoke anonymously dismissed the warning by the police, stating that no amount of threat on them would cow them from the ongoing agitation for the Sovereign State of Biafra.

    The source said that MASSOB is a peaceful and non-violent group who have become sacrificial lambs in the hands of the police and other security agencies and stated that it is their fundamental rights to embark on peaceful protest at any time that they like.

    “We have remained resolute and peaceful in our agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra. We heard the announcement and we want to assure the police that they are just issuing a warning or threat that doesn’t hold any water. If we decide to hold protest on May 30 or any other day, they won’t stop us. They can go ahead to kill innocent and unarmed citizens of Biafra, but that would not deter us from the agitation of Biafra. That their warning or threat doesn’t make any sense and can’t kill the fire in us to have a state that has been the dream of our heroes past.”

     

  • Markets open as traders boycott IPOB’s sit-at-home order

    Markets open as traders boycott IPOB’s sit-at-home order

    The sit-at-home order by pro-Biafra groups, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) was boycotted in Imo State Friday.

    Markets, schools, government offices, as well as other public places were opened for business against the directive of the separatists groups, which ordered complete closure of all markets and business places across the Southeast to pray for the release of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kalu.

    In Owerri, the Imo State capital, there was free movement as the residents went about their businesses without molestation as had earlier been feared.

    Meanwhile there was heavy presence of armed Policemen who mounted at strategic locations across the capital city with their Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC).

    However when contacted, MASSOB factional leader, Uchenna Madu, said that the exercise was successful across the zone.

    According to him, “we achieved over sixty percent compliance in all the state and that shows that our people are committed to the struggle for a sovereign Biafra. It also shows that we are a powerful group and the people are behind what we are doing “.

    On the reason for the sit-at-home, he said that “we decided to sit at home to pray for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and other detained pro-Biafra activists and also to afford our people the opportunity to reflect about the struggle”.

  • Compensate Igbo traders over losses – MASSOB tells Kano Gov

    Compensate Igbo traders over losses – MASSOB tells Kano Gov

    The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra, MASSOB, has called on Governor abdulahi Ganduje of Kano State to compensate Igbo traders who were victims of the recent fire incident which gutted the Sabon Gari market.

    The midnight fire incident at Sabon Gari Market, Kano consumed goods of traders worth millions of Naira and touched over 4,000 shops.

    MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor, in a statement lamented that Igbo traders have severally been at the receiving end of any market demolition and fire incidents in Nigeria, amounting to untold loss of cash and property, even as he urged the Kano state government to ensure that victims of the inferno are compensated adequately.

    Okerefaor urged Igbo businessmen to invest at home, stressing that if the Igbo could establish 30% of their businesses in their home states, the South East would be more developed than Abuja and Lagos cities.

    According to him, “We are calling on the Kano state government to compensate victims of the Sabon Gari market fire incident. From available information MASSOB had gathered, 90% of the affcted traders are of the Igbo stock who have suffered losses.

    “They should be compensated to assist them get back to business. Again, the state government should set up a probe panel to find the immediate and remote cause of the incident. Ndigbo contributes immensely to the development of Kano state, and must not be abandoned in this hour of need.

    “MASSOB has lost count of market fire incidents and demolition of markets, including government induced policies targeted at Igbo traders. In  Lagos state, in January 2016, Igbo traders returned from the Christmas and New Year festivities to see their shops demolished on the orders of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and wares looted by hoodlums.

    “During crises and riot situations, Igbo traders are always targeted and their goods destroyed. This is why we are calling on the international community to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to organize a referendum and grant Ndigbo an independent state of Biafra where there would be no victimization.”

    Okereafor also called on the governor to institute a commission of inquiry into the incident, further stated that those arrested for looting properties at the burnt market should not be allowed to escape justice.

  • Kanu’s trial: MASSOB berates masking of witnesses

    Kanu’s trial: MASSOB berates masking of witnesses

    Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) faction led by Uchenna Madu has berated that masking of prosecution witnesses by the Department of Security Service (DSS) in the trial of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The group on Wednesday described the process as an act of cowardice on the part of the Federal Government and the DSS.

    In a statement, comrade Uchenna Madu stated that the insistence of the Federal Government through the DSS to hide the identity of their witnesses was not only an act of cowardice, but a sign of not being serious and unsteadiness.

    According to him, the prosecution was insisting on masked witnesses because they had no genuine witnesses as the ones they earlier had been exposed and it now behooves on the prosecution to use personnel of DSS who would appear with Igbo names as witnesses, to create the negative impression that Ndigbo are against Kanu.

    “Those the DSS contracted to come and give false witness against Kanu, on finding the truth, declined to come forward. To accomplish their evil plans, they have decided to use their personnel who would bear Igbo names to come and give witness against Kanu, to create the impression that he (Kanu) is not liked by Ndigbo and that is why they want to cover their faces in court and at the end, they will cover their faces in shame,” he said.

    The MASSOB leader said it was absurd for the DSS to allege that some pro Biafra agitators were plotting to invade the court and forcefully free the IPOB leader.

    He wondered how the DSS has suddenly become confused and described the reason that IPOB and MASSOB members would invade a courtroom located at the 3rd floor of the Federal High Court building and manned by heavily armed security operatives as frivolous. 

    He said that although the arrest and detention of Kanu have revived the consciousness of Biafra to a higher dimension and stated that the group absolute faith in God that Kanu would soon be set free at last.

    While calling on all pro-Biafra groups to rally round Kanu, Madu warned that the continued detention of Kanu will “bring more devastating diplomatic doom for Nigeria now and in the future.”