The Nigerian Army has arrested over 100 MASSOB members travelling for their heroes remembrance day and the 49th anniversary of the outbreak of the genocidal civil war arising from the declaration of Biafra Republic.
According to reports by Eastern Radio, some military men in uniforms yesterday intercepted five 18-seater buses occupied by the Chief Ralph Uwazuruike- led members of the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) at a military check-point along Onitsha/Owerri dual carriageway by Azia Junction in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Chris Mocha, told newsmen on phone that he did not know where the soldiers took the detained travelers belonging to the group also known as BIM to.
Mocha explained that three of the buses carrying their members who were returning to Anambra and Delta states from Owerri, Imo State where they had attended their national convention were intercepted first, while two others carrying veteran Biafran soldiers returning from the same Owerri meeting were intercepted about 30 minutes later.
He disclosed that he had communicated the development to the MASSOB factional leader, Uwazuruike who in turn instructed him to issue a press statement on it.
Mocha said in spite of the odds, MASSOB has concluded arrangements to celebrate Biafra Day in remembrance of Biafra fallen heroes and the 49th anniversary of the outbreak of the genocidal civil war arising from the declaration of Biafra Republic, which claimed lives of millions of Igbo sons and daughters.
He also called on security agencies to leave their members alone as they were neither armed nor exhibited any act of violence.
He stressed that the concerned MASSOB members were harmlessly returning to Anambra and parts of Delta states from Owerri where they had attended meeting presided over by Uwazuruike.
