Posted by Champion on
MOVEMENT for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday alleged that about five of its members were killed, even as 20 others were arrested in Anambra and Delta states respectively.
MOVEMENT for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday alleged that about five of its members were killed, even as 20 others were arrested in Anambra and Delta states respectively.
The group has also enjoined the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to urgently probe the bribery allegation levelled against the Imo State Director of the State Security Services (SSS), Mr. Alex Amaechina.
These developments came as MASSOB members for several hours yesterday disrupted social and business activities in Abuja, Anambra, Ebonyi, Edo, Delta and Imo states, protesting the continued harassment of their leader Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.
The protests, Daily Champion gathered, took place simultaneously in Efurun, Warri, and Asaba all in Delta State; Benin, Edo State; Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Owerri, Imo State as well as along the busy Onitsha-Enugu Expressway in Anambra State.
It would be recalled that the MASSOB leader has been having a running battle with security operatives, the latest being the invasion of his Okwe, Imo State home by the SSS.
Chief Uwazuruike had last week, accused the Imo State SSS director of demanding N5 million to slow down the raid in his house, an allegation Mr. Amaechina has refuted.
Following this, among other sundry accusations, the SSS has since declared Chief Uwazuruike wanted.
In Benin yesterday, hundreds of youths of the Igbo Youths Congress staged protest over the continuous harassment of Uwazuruike and other MASSOB members.
Yesterday's protest in Benin was the first major outing of Igbo youths in the state in relation to the activities of MASSOB.
The protest which caught security operatives in Benin unawares, commenced from the Upper Mission Road end of the city and lasted for about two hours uninterrupted.
Many of the Igbo boys and girls who sell electronics and motor spareparts in the city, abandoned their stores to participate in the protest.
Speaking with newsmen, the leader of the Congress, Mr. Rufus Alozie, said the Igbo youths in the state and all over the country were disturbed with the constant molestation of Chief Uwazuruike despite the fact that he has not committed any known offence.
From Anambra State the protest which started about 9.00 am at Uga junction of Onitsha-Enugu expressway was rather peaceful, but a MASSOB chief, John C. Edison, alleged that no fewer than five of their members were killed by police.
In Asaba, 20 members of the group who arrived the capital city about 9 am were nabbed by security operatives.
In the demonstration tagged "call for justice", the demonstrators, who were in Biafra colours, said they were protesting the discriminatory and oppressive policies of the Federal Government against the Igbo.
The group's spokesman in the state, Mr. Chiekezie Chukwu in a chat stated that it was a worldwide demonstration, positing that come rain or sunshine, Biafra Republic must be actualized.
The latest protest in the state, may not be unconnected with last months arrest of eight of their members by police in Obiarukwu Ukwuani council area for allegedly holding secret meeting.
The placard-carrying MASSOB members in Abakaliki who matched through the streets chanting Biafran slogans, however did not disrupt free flow of traffic.
Addressing newsmen after the protest, the MASSOB state co-ordinator, Dr. Linus Obrija Ogazi lamented the "various unlawful excesses, in words and actions toward MASSOB and its noble activities."
"We have organised this demonstration in a peaceful manner in line with MASSOB's non-violent posture, primarily to drive home our grievances to the general public, Nigeria government, the international community and the unconstitutional minded Nigerian security operatives," Dr. Ogazi said.
He criticized the invasion of MASSOB Okwe headquarters by the SSS and "incessant attacks on Chief Uwazuruike.
Reports from Anara and Okigwe in Imo State also stated that Okigwe protesters comprising MASSOB members, traders and artisans, chanted anti-government songs as they moved round Douglas Road, Ekeonunwa Market and Rotabi streets.
The carried such placards as "Leave MASSOB headquarters alone, The police, SSS and the Army should stop stealing our properties," "Is Obasanjo a military head of state or civilian president," Human Right is dead in Nigeria."
Meanwhile, the group in its rally at Idu/Karmo on the outskirts of Abuja said the allegation preferred against Mr. Amaechina "ought to be investigated."
We are asking EFCC to probe Mr. Amaechina and know the extent of his involvement in the allegation. We also call on the United Nations to intervene and call the Nigerian government to order.