The tension stirred by the Niger Delta Avengers’ ultimatum to governors of the South-East and their counterparts in Bayelsa and Delta states, was yesterday heightened by its backing by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) had, on Monday, given seven governors seven days to unconditionally release all pro-Biafra agitators detained across the South East.
Backing the ultimatum, yesterday, MASSOB, in a statement signed by the National Secretary, Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke commended the militants for their total commitment, selfless service and consistency to Biafra’s actualisation struggle.
It said: “MASSOB, under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu has reiterated our earlier support and backing of NDA, a group that has shown total commitment, selfless service and spirit of consistency to Biafran struggle for actualisation and restoration.
“MASSOB hails their demands for the unconditional release of all pro-Biafra agitators detained across South Eastern states. Governors of the South-East must release all Biafra agitators detained in their respective states now.
“Igbo governors should stop supporting clampdown and subsequent incarceration of their brothers. We advise them to learn and emulate Yoruba governors like Ayo Fayose.”
The movement specifically asked Governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Willie Obiano of Anambra State to free members of other pro-Biafra groups being held in their states since 2007 and 2013.
“MASSOB urges Obiano Okorocha to free members of other pro-Biafra groups who have been languishing in prison since 2007 and 2013 for the interest of Ndigbo.
“MASSOB members detained at Onitsha prison are; Innocent Orji, Chukwuebuka Ikenwa, Amah Onu, Okwudiri Basil (female) and Onyekachi Orji (female) while those in Owerri Prison are Benjamin Onwuka (Leader of Biafra Zionist Movement), and 12 other members.
“MASSOB is lamenting the plight of 22 members detained in Awka and Onitsha Prisons since April 2007 and that of 13 members of the Biafra Zionist Movement detained in Enugu Prisons since the last two years on frivolous charges of treasonable felony and all IPOB and BIM members detained across Biafraland. Out of the 22 MASSOB detainees, one is physically challenged while two of are female.
“They have been abandoned in the prison yard to rot away for being MASSOB members.
“About 15 of them need serious medical attention including the females and the crippled member.”
“Several court adjournments, transfer of judges who want to establish justice and systematic delay of trial, have been used to frustrate their release at the Federal High Court Awka and state high Court, Ogidi and Federal High Court Owerri.
“MASSOB appeals to the governors to intervene and affect their release because of their aged parents who have suffered psychological trauma. Also, many of the detainees are bread winners of their families, and many of their children are no longer in school, while their wives have gone back to their respective villages.”