Chinedu Eze
7 September 2005
Abakaliki — Members of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) who numbered over 400, demonstrated in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital yesterday and protested the brutality of security agents whom they accused of "unlawful arrest and detention of their members."
The MASSOB members made up of youths and middle-aged men, marched through the main streets of Abakaliki, including Ogoja and Afikpo Roads, shouting and attracting passers-by, while many motorists scampered for safety.
In an address read by the state's coordinator, Dr Linus Ogazi, the group lamented "various unlawful excesses, in words and actions towards MASSOB and its noble activities.
"We have organised this demonstration in a peaceful manner in line with MASSOB's non-violent posture, primarily to drive home our grievances to the public, government and the international community," said Ogazi.
He criticised the "invasion" of MASSOB's headquarters at Okwe, Imo State by members of State Security Service (SSS) and the incessant attacks on the leader of the organisation, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, whose belongings including cars had been destroyed.
According to him, a combined team of soldiers, policemen and members of the SSS "invaded the country home of the MASSOB leader at Okwe in Okigwe for four consecutive days--August 17, 18, 19 and 26.
Since that day, there had been regular invasions of the community by security agents who caused havoc and destroyed the community houses, especially that of Uwazuruike and spread bullets indiscriminately within the entire community.
Asked whether his members knew that they were committing treason by declaring a republic within a republic, Ogazi said they had seized to recognise Nigeria as their country and would soon celebrate the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra.
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