A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Aniebonem and five others have been detained by anti kidnapping section of the Nigeria police at Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State over alleged membership of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB.
Three persons were during the week arrested during raiding of the group’s office along Awkuzu/ Otuocha road, Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
The Nation gathered that the cleric, an in-law to one of the arrested members of BIM-MASSOB, had gone to State Criminal Investigation Department, Awkuzu to find out what led to the arrest of the 87 year old in-law, Sylvester Dinyelu, and possibly effect his release.
“On getting to the station he was also arrested and detained on suspicion that he might be a member of the non-violence and non-exodus movement.
“His driver, Mr. Udebunu Anachuna, who drove the Fr. Aniebonem to the station was equally arrested alongside Mr. Christian Ifeji, Johnson Anagor and Mr. Kanayo Madu.
“A similar development occurred in Onitsha when Mr. Mathew Ani was also arrested on Tuesday, on allegation of belonging to the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, which he had earlier denied.
“Mathew said he was not a member of IPOB but that he belonged to Uwazuruike’s BIM-MASSOB,” a source narrated.
Confirming the report in a release made available to newsmen in a Onitsha, MASSOB Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha said Mathew is currently being detained at the Area Command’s cell in Onitsha.
“We have just engaged the services of our lawyer to ensure the early release of the men including that of an 87 year old man,” the statement read.
Reacting, Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, (DSP), said, “Our operatives working on reliable information, raided their office along Oyeagu Ifitedunu road on 25/09/2023 and a lot of incriminating items and unpatriotic materials that show disloyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria were found.
“Meanwhile the case is still under investigation as I talk to you.”
