Imo State police command has confirmed the arrest of at least 68 members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) for unlawful assemblage and procession.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Evbakhavbokun disclosed this to newsmen in his office. According to him, “62 of the figure arrested had been charged to court for conspiracy, belonging to unlawful society and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.”
He, however, explained that investigations showed that the leader of the movement, Chief Ralph Uwazurike was not associated with the group.
Evbakhavbokun said that the self-styled freedom fighters had stormed Owerri, the state capital in buses from all directions to celebrate Biafra Day and remembrance of their fallen heroes without previous notice to the police.
“They were clad in MASSOB/Biafra uniforms with varying insignia and marched towards the Port Harcourt-Owerri federal highway, chanting war songs in such a manner as to cause breach of the peace. They were, however, dispersed by the State Police Command,” the commissioner said.
He listed exhibits recovered from the suspects as Biafra uniforms, Biafra ID cards, Biafra flags and some buses.
The commissioner expressed regret that most of those involved in the act never knew when and how the civil war was fought in the country. He therefore advised parents and guardians to always keep a tab on the activities of their children and wards to discourage them from acts and conducts capable of jeopardizing peace and security in the society.
