From Petrus Obi, Enugu
Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has blamed Igbo religious, traditional, political and opinion leaders on their insensitivity and nonchalant attitude towards the plight of detained Biafra agitators in the prisons.
In a statement, yesterday, MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu said: “We are in the struggle to restore the dignity, culture and integrity of Ndigbo. Numerous sacrifices have been made, supreme prices paid, we have been tortured, mesmerised, killed, incarcerated, yet; we are neglected, abused and abandoned by people who benefit from our exploits.”
Madu noted that the “non-violent struggle for Biafra is a reactionary revolution against the continued neglect, political injustices/imbalance of federal structures against Ndigbo by successive governments of Nigeria since 1970.
“We are in this self-determination struggle because of political, economic, religious slavery against the Igbos by the government of Nigeria. MASSOB and other genuine pro Biafra groups are in the Biafra struggle because of the grand plan to Islamise the people of Biafra with subtle and harsh economic policies….”
“We are in the struggle to counter and correct the evil plot to enslave our children and their future; we are in the struggle re-establish and revive the tenacity, economic independency and industrial nature of Ndigbo which astonished the world between 1950 and the 70s.”
While dismissing Igbo leaders for not encouraging the struggle, MASSOB expressed respect for a few Igbo leaders who unflinchingly and boldly defended the interest and cause of Biafra agitators, pointing out that majority of Igbo leaders have brazenly betrayed Igbo cause and interest in Nigeria.
“We wish to inform Ndigbo that the reawakening of the spirit and consciousness of Biafra among the people of Biafra can never be demoralised again, the Biafra revolutionary struggle can no longer be betrayed by one man’s personal interest; the struggle is now bigger than individual leaders.”
MASSOB charged Igbo leaders to rise up in defense of detained Biafra activist, including leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi, Innocent Orji, Sabastine Amadi and Benjamin Onwuka among others in various Nigeria