From: Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

Members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) have threatened to embark on mass action in Anambra State following what they called continuous crackdown and extortion of their members by the police.

MASSOB-BIM leader for Anambra South Zone,, Chief Arinze Igbani, who issued the threat, on Thursday, in Onitsha, said the police in the state has continued to harass, extort and detain their members despite the fact that they (MASSOB-BIM) have remained law-abiding and non-violent in their activities.

Chief Igbani listed police divisions like Awada, Central Police Station, Onitsha and Nnewi, Inland Town, Fegge and Ekwulobia Divisions as notorious spots where their members were always haunted on daily basis and are either detained, extorted or their motorcycles seized for what he called frivolous reasons.

The MASSOB-BIM leader said the police always drop Governor Obiano’s name as the one who banned Okada from plying some routes in the state and are using such style to extort huge sums of money from their members.

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He alleged that one of their members, Charity Eze Kelechi, was arrested for possessing Biafran items like pin-ups, badges and emblem by policemen from Onitsha CPS and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka while another member, Fidelis Ugwu was arrested along Uga Ekwulobia road.

He also disclosed that the bike of one of their members has been in custody at the state CID, Awka for the past two years for the simple reason that the bike was painted in Biafran colour despite a court order that the bike should be released.

He called on Governor Obiano and the Inspector General of Police to order the security agents in Anambra to leave them alone stressing that they have remained non violent for the past 18 years but may be forced to revolt if the intimidation fails to stop.

He called for the immediate release of their members in custody and taunted the security forces that one day and very soon, Biafra will come and their freedom will surely come at last.

When contacted for comments, the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, Nkeiruka Nwode said the command is only after criminal elements irrespective of whether they are MASSOB or not. She said the command under CP Okaula has gone beyond indiscriminate arrest or extortion and doesn’t encourage such under any guise whatsoever.