The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB) Monday accused the Federal government of trying to create instability in the former Eastern region by killing pro-Biafra protesters to provoke the people into another civil war.
The group threatened to drag the government to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague, Netherlands over incessant killings of pro-Biafra protesters.
MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor, said the killings of pro-Biafra protesters by security agents had become unbearable, and the group had decided to take necessary steps to tackle the situation.
According to him: “MASSOB is worried at the rate at which defenceless pro Biafra agitators are being killed. It is unheard of to have soldiers shoot people who were gathered for prayers. We believe it is a strategy to incite the people of the South East and South-South to war. These are antics we know too well. We refuse to be deceived. The people of the former Eastern region have been thoroughly provoked. MASSOB will not keep quiet at these senseless killings and have decided to let the international community know about the atrocities being committed by Nigerian security agents.
“MASSOB has concluded plans to take our case to the International Court of Justice, Hague. We have compiled our evidences on the killings and the dramatis personae. Our group will not keep quiet on these acts of killings of innocent citizens.”
Okereafor berated political leaders, particularly the governors of the South East zone for allegedly failing to speak against the killing of defenceless agitators in their states, describing it as an act of cowardice.
Govt’s planned dialogue deceptive Meanwhile, the group has described the government’s efforts at dialoguing with its members as insincere, hypocritical and deceptive.
In a statement to newsmen in Enugu, MASSOB Leader Uchenna Madu said: ”Federal Government through her several agents had clamoured for a peaceful dialogue to effect the release of Nnamdi Kanu whose arrest and detention has exposed and battered the deteriorated image of Nigeria before the international community since October 2015.
“Though many groups and persons which claim to represent the Biafra agitators in the dialogue have failed because of their selfish and group interest, why have they not met the real leadership of Biafra agitators held on December 22, 2015 in Enugu in the house of a prominent and respected Igbo leader with representatives of Federal Government with the Directorate of Military Intelligence Abuja and other Igbo Leaders who are genuinely rooted in Igbo cause.?
“The FG representatives assured us that based on their findings, observations, interactions, feelings and grievances of Ndigbo during the weeklong tour which climaxed with meeting of the leadership of Biafra agitators; they assured that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would be released to an Igbo leader of our choice after their report and intimate meeting with the Presidency.”
Hails Fayose for defending Nnamdi Kanu The statement added: “MASSOB has hailed Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State for his staunch support and defence of Nnamdi Kanu and non-violent Biafran agitators. Governor Fayose’s sympathy on Biafra and outburst against Buhari-led administration which exhibited religious, ethnic and personal hatred has proved him as a true nationalist who has the interest of the people at heart.
“MASSOB also condemned the silence of Igbo Governors and Senators on the plight of Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafran agitators. Some Igbo governors and senators are stooges and cowards. We doubt if Igbo blood of bravery and eloquence run in their veins. The northern and western governors/senators openly and secretly collaborate and work with Boko-Haram and Odua People’s Congress, OPC, respectively for the interest of their ethnic blocks but their Igbo counterparts are always shying away as cowards.”
-Vanguard
