The Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has given the military in Anambra State 48 hours within which to release five of its members allegedly arrested yesterday in various locations in the state.
The regional administrator of MASSOB in charge of Nnewi South Local government Area, Mr. Tony Nwodo gave the ultimatum while addressing members during an em- ergency meeting and concluded that they “will shut down Anambra State if the five arrested members are not released within 48 hours.”
Mr. Nwodo named those arrested as MASSOB Utu Area Administrator- Eugene Odoh, and other members of the group who include Friday Nwoye, Sunday Amaechi, Chuma Okonkwo and Ebuka Okolo.
“Eugene Odoh was picked from his shop at No. 2, Chukwurah Street, off Awka Road, Onitsha, this evening.
“They stormed his shop with six Hilux pick-up vans and a Sienna bus. They ransacked his shop and made away with some money.
“They also made away with valuables. His where about and that of four others are yet unknown. The four others were picked from their homes and on the road without any offence.”
“We will not take this if they are not released after 48 hours, we will show the military the stuff we are made of, the fact that we are a non violent body fighting to actualize a sovereign state of Biafra does not mean we will be taken for granted, we have other non violent ways of dealing with violent people like the military are proving to be to our members” he said.
He said the Utu Area administrator the Military arrested is a peace- maker and was given a traditional title of ‘Nchuanwu Ndigbo (Preventer of Sun for Ndigbo) .
Meanwhile, palpable fear of uncertainty has reportedly gripped the residents of Onitsha over the heavy Presence of both the military and Police personnel who patrol the major roads for three consecutive days now.
