By: Tochi Onyeubi
The 18years anniversary celebration of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign States of Biafra, MASSOB and Biafra Independence Movement, BIM on Tuesday met with stiff resistance as security agencies made up of the Nigerian police and army invaded the venue with canisters, beating up an 80 years old man in army camouflage.
The event which was earlier billed to hold as a procession in the capital city was stopped by the police force from the Fire service Area Command, whose men advised the group not to take their parade to the streets as miscreant would use the opportunity to cause mayhem.
The group accordingly peacefully, accepted to the terms and agreed to stay put in their current location at Old Ogbosisi by Wetheral to mark their celebration, despite being not allowed contact with outsiders or hawkers.
Trumpeta observed that, less than 15 minutes after the initial agreement, they were barricaded by the police and army who surrounded them from different corners ordering them to sit on the floor and not move, while firing canisters at them.
An over 80 years old man wearing the army camouflage was singled out among older men of his age, calling him a thief, they forcefully whisked him away with an upper cut and beaten to their Hilux van, others were filed in a single line with their hands raised into a waiting van.
A journalist who was caught in the fray, a Punch Correspondent, Gibson Achonu was beaten mercilessly for refusing to wear the Biafran flag when he protested that he was only there to perform his duty as a journalist, while the DPO of Fire service command and MOPOL Commander watched on and couldn’t save him.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Samuel Ifeanyichukwu Njoku the Owerri Zonal MASSOB leader who informed that, the celebration was in commemoration of the rehosting of the Biafran flag by Ralph Uwazurike 35years after Biafran Warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu first raised the flag in 1967 which ended after the civil war of 1970.
He decried the presence of the police mandating them not to go ahead with their planned procession adding that, as peace loving people they would remain in their present spot.
Speaking also, MASSOB National Director for Information, Sunday Okoroafor said they were displeased seeing the presence of heavily armed policemen, disrupting their procession, adding that, Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen who kill and maim are moving freely.
Stressing on the emancipation of the South East, he maintained that Biafra remains the only answer to the lingering political issues in Nigeria which has not allowed an Igbo man assume the position of leadership at the national helm of affairs.
Pa Solomon Ozoemenam the Okigwe Zonal leader said the celebration is not a new one and insisted that there was no backing down in their yearly celebration. He advised well meaning Igbo men to identify with the Biafran dream.
Information gathered revealed that, Anambra and Enugu held peaceful celebration while arrests were recorded in Imo, Portharcourt and Aba.
However, the group arrested in Owerri has been released. This was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Police, Imo state command, DSP Andrew Enwerem in an interview with our reporter. He said, they were charged to court and have been granted bail.
