MASSOB issues warning over detained members, threatens to take action

The Ralph Uwazurike-led Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafran Independent Movement (BIM) on Monday issued a warning, over the harassment and detention of its members in the hands of police authorities.

The group lamented that despite their non-violent stance in the pursuit of Biafra, many of its members had been detained, adding that it may be forced to take action at any time.

According to them, the latest detention is that of a security chief, Tochukwu Enyioha, who was allegedly detained at Awada Police Station, Obosi, Anambra State, since last Wednesday without access to his family and medication.

Regional Director of Information for Awka South, Ozone Ndukwe, who addressed reporters on Monday said Enyioha was first attacked by members of a vigilante group.

He said: “Members of the vigilance group in Ugwuagba Obosi, allegedly working for one Akachukwu, instigated the attack thinking that the MASSOB-BIM leader was taking sides in a leadership crisis they have in Ugwuagba Obosi.”

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MASSOB-BIM Elder-in-Council and Leader for Awka South zone Chief Arinze Igbani alleged that the police, working in synergy with the Ugwuagba community leader, detained Enyioha and denied him bail for refusing to implicate the other party in the community leadership dispute at Ugwuagba Obosi.

“Two other members – Friday Okoro and Kelechukwu Eze – were physically injured by the vigilance members who fired gunshots, but the bullets could not harm them before the police were invited to arrest them,” he said.

Igbani, who noted that the group had always abided by the instruction of their founder, against dabbling into town union or community leadership issues, called for Enyioha’s release.

He added: “Most of our members in Okpoko, Awada and Ugwuagba axis are becoming restive and may be forced to take action if the police fail to leave their members alone in their non-violent pursuit for Biafran independence.”

Divisional Police Officer in charge of Awada Police Division Tony Adeyi declined comments on the matter.

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