Four killed in MASSOB, security operatives clash in Onitsha

No fewer than four people were feared killed in Onitsha on Monday when members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra clashed with a team of security men.



MASSOB however claimed that it was an attack on its members that could be linked to the decision of the movement to withdraw their support from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and announce their preferred candidate before the Saturday’s governorship election.

The Police however declined comments on the incident.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, said he had not been officially briefed on the incident.

The Director of Information of MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu, who said he was speaking on behalf of the leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, said the incident occurred in the early hours of the day.

He said the joint security team was made up of the Army, Police and State Security Service personnel, who stormed MASSOB headquarters along Onitsha-Owerri road and allegedly opened fire on their members.

He said at the end of the attack, four persons were felled, while many others sustained gunshot wounds.

He also said more than 80 persons, critically injured in the incident, were denied medical attention because they could not show that they had police medical permit.

Madu added that about 18 vehicles, belonging to MASSOB members and traders at Mgbuka-Obosi, Old Motor Spare Parts, Obosi, 137 motorcycles, belonging to MASSOB members were burnt and N920, 000 was taken by the security agents.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Peter Obi on Media and Publicity, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, who said he was not aware of the incident, wondered why MASSOB had blamed the governor for the said fracas.

“Why are they calling the name of the governors?” he asked.
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Source: Punch