The Guardian

Suspected MASSOB members attack Obi
From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka

A MOST bizarre breach of security and decorum was recorded at the weekend in Ngwo, Enugu State where suspected members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) hounded Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, one of whom successfully gave the governor a knock on the head.

The daring assault occurred at the residence of the late former governor of old Anambra State, Chief C. C. Onoh, where the Ibo cr�me-de-la- cr�me gathered to pay their last respects to the departed elder statesman.

However, a possible bloodbath was averted by Obi who swiftly called his security details to order as the latter made to cut down the MASSOB mob in a hail of bullets.

Obi, alongside other South-East governors, had already paid his last respect to Onoh on Thursday, July, 2 but on the invitation of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the governor accompanied the ex-Biafran warlord on a condolence visit to the Onoh Family, who are his in-laws. Chief Onoh was the father of Ojukwu's wife, Bianca.

According to the Special Assistant to the governor on Media And Publicity, Valentine Obienyem, trouble started when MASSOB members allegedly led by their leader, Raphael Uwazurike, sited Obi coming. They reportedly started shouting: "We must kill you and your family; we must send you back to the UK."

Obienyem said at the scene, the governor sat at a different area from Mr. Emeka Etiaba and Uwazurike. He said Odumegwu-Ojukwu later invited Obi to join him where he was seated. As the governor moved to oblige Odumegwu-Ojukwu, some MASSOB members accosted him, saying he had refused to identify with them and hence was not a Biafran.

"It came to a climax when one of them knocked the governor on the head. The security men attached to the governor were already ready to shoot but Obi calmed them down," Obienyem noted.

A visibly angry Odumegwu-Ojukwu ordered the MASSOB out of the gathering and brought the situation under control.

Speaking with reporters on the incident, 'Major' Anayo Chukwunonso, who claimed to be a leader of the MASSOB militia, said the organisation was unhappy with Governor Obi for allegedly stopping the monthly payment made to them by previous governments in the state.

However, he added that since Obi had refused to work with MASSOB, "others who are sympathetic to our cause are enjoying our services."

He queried why Obi would not pay MASSOB militia when his colleagues allegedly still do.

Chukwunonso also accused Obi of giving orders to the police to kill some Biafrans under the guise of restoring sanity to the state.

On assuming office, Obi outlawed all militia groups in the state, including the MASSOB and Bakassi Boys, among others.

However, rumours have it that these banned associations are currently regrouping in Anambra State, preparatory to the 2010 governorship election.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/article03//indexn2_html?pdate=070709&ptitle=Suspected%20MASSOB%20members%20attack%20Obi

Now this is a serious breach of security. Methink the time is here to rein in all this ethnic militia, particularly this lawless MASSOB! First it was launching passport and now this! Isn't it instructive to note that even the Biafra general was at this gathering and he even invited the governor to sit with him. So why are they crying more than the bereaved? And such a cheeky statement by the MASSOB guys too that others now have good use for them if the governor does not want to use them. Use them for what? as what? Political thugs? The statement only underscores one fact, All these ethnic militias are only interested in their purses and nothing more! Thank God for a gentleman in Peter Obi, that guy that gave the knock would have viven the final knock of his life!