Army, MASSOB clash again

 The Nigerian Army, on Tuesday, intercepted no fewer than 1, 000 members of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike led Movement for Actualization Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) about two kilometers into the University town of Nsukka.
Our correspondent gathered that members of the group who converged at Opi all wearing camouflage Biafra uniform, caps with Biafra flag were marching towards Nsukka town to celebrate the 17 years of the existence of movement were intercepted at Ede-Oballa. Members comprising men, women, the aged and the young were later freed and directed to go home after negotiation with security and leaders of the movement.
Speaking with newsmen after their release, the Zonal Leader of Enugu senatorial zone of MASSOB, Mr. James Omeke, said the movement was celebrating its 17 years since the movement came into existence through Chief Ralph Uwazurike.
Omeke stated that when they reached Ede-Oballa they were stopped by the army who later handed them over to the police who collected their caps and flags and ordered them to go home after keeping them for three hours.
“When they stopped us, our members numbering about 1000 were searched and no arms or any dangerous weapon was found from anybody.
“We stayed there for about three hours before they told us to go home knowing that the march was non-violent and peaceful,’ he said.
The zonal leader said the movement anticipated that the celebration would be interrupted by security, adding they were not afraid because the movement had been non-violent since it started seventeen Yrs ago by our leader Uwazurike.
“What we are celebrating today is 17 years’ anniversary of MASSOB since 1999 it started.
‘We see today’s celebration asa success since we have used it to create more awareness about the movement”, he said.He said members were drawn from six regions that made of Enugu North senatorial zone and one thousand from each region were expected to participate on the celebration.

“So overall number of our members that participate in the celebration from Enugu north senatorial zone is about six thousand people.
“We appeal to federal government of Nigeria to stop harassing us since the movement is peaceful and nonviolent.
“We also call UN to expedite action towards conducting a referendum if people needed Biafra or not.
In spite of the harassment, the struggle for Biafra continues as members will not relent until Biafra is realized”, he said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer in Enugu state, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said the MASSOB member were stopped from entering Nsukka town to avoid any breach of peace as well as causing any problem in the town.
“Yes I am aware that some members of MASSOB marching into Nsukka town to celebrate their 17 years’ anniversary were stopped at Ede-Oballa by security agents, the aim is to avoid breakdown of peace.
“They were stopped and sent back to their various homes so as to avoid breakdown of law and order.
“We released and asked to go to their respective homes when we found no dangerous weapons on them during the march, ‘he said.