The Police in Ebonyi State on Monday arrested some
clergymen who were conducting an inter-
denominational service for members of the Movement
for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra
(MASSOB).
It was gathered that policemen numbering over 200
stormed the Nkaliki Primary School, field, Abakaliki,
venue for the 2016 Biafran day celebration of the group,
midway into the service and arrested the clergymen as
well as other members.
The Zonal Leader of MASSOB in charge of Ebonyi
North, John Nwifuru, flanked by a member of the
Elders-In-Council in charge of Ebonyi anniversary,
Moses Eze, confirmed this at a briefing in Abakaliki.
According to him “over 320 members of the MASSOB
were also arrested by the Command during the Biafra
Day celebration”.
It was also gathered that the command also teargassed
the protesters ceaselessly during the operation.
“Some of those arrested were just clergymen who we
invited to conduct inter-denominational church service
as part of activities marking the celebration”. These
policemen don’t seem to have respect for God, why
would they arrest his anointed men?”
He accused the Police of carting away valuables
belonging to members of the movement which he said
included vehicles, over 93 motorcycles and other items
for offertory.
He said, “We were at Nkaliki primary school field
observing interdenominational church service when
policemen numbering over 200 operating in over 40
hilux vans stormed the area shooting sporadically in the
air before they threw tear gas canister on us before
arresting our clergymen who were conducting church service. They
carried plantains, bananas, and other consumables which members
brought as their offering during the church service.”
He called for the unconditional release of those arrested in the state and
other parts of the country during the peaceful celebration which he said
was in commemoration of the declaration of the state of Biafra by late
warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, over 49 years ago.
Police spokesman,George Okafor, could not be reached for comments as
calls to his mobile phones were unanswered as at the time of filling this
report.
But a top security source in the state, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, MASSOB members were arrested today as they were planning a
protest,” the source added.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, when
contacted, said she would brief the media on the matter at the appropriate
time.
www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/204383-biafra-day-police-storm-prayer-session-arrest-pastors-320-massob-members-ebonyi.html

What crime did they commit?? there was a country.