“Our Office Has Been Destroyed By Troops” – MASSOB

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)/Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) have condemned the alleged invasion and destruction of its office at Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State by troops of Operation Python Dance II.

MASSOB/BIM, the Ebonyi Central zone leader Gideon Iloke yesterday reported that scores of soldiers raided the organisation’s Onueke office during the weekend.

He said the invaders allegedly destroyed flags, emblems and other Biafra items and took away other valuables belonging to the group.

Iloke, who described the attack as wicked and callous, maintained that MASSOB was committed to the realisation of Biafra independence.

The MASSOB leader said no amount of intimidation from the Army or any other quarters would stop the organisation from pursuing its agenda.

He said: “Last weekend, the enemies of Biafra attacked our office at Onueke, chased away our members, destroyed our flags and carted away other valuables. Everybody knows that MASSOB/BIM under the leadership of Chief Raph Uwazuruke is non-violent in its approach to the agitation for the realisation of Biafra independence.

“Therefore, what was the reason for attacking our office? They should know that even though they attacked our office and scattered our men, I want them to know that MASSOB/BIM is everywhere in the world; no force is capable of killing all of us. Biafra has come to stay.”

Iloke urged the leadership of Ohaeze Ndigbo, under the chairmanship of Chief Nnia Nwodo, to protect Ndigbo from what he called the calculated onslaught of the military against pro-Biafra agitators.

The MASSOB leader said this had been disguised as a fight against criminality in the zone.

He added that if Ndigbo leaders failed to protect pro-Biafra agitators against attacks from the security agencies, the group may be forced to take actions, “no matter how extreme, to protect ourselves”.

Iloke also urged the international community to beam its light on the activities of the military in the Southeast, especially in its Operation Python Dance II.

According to him, the activities of soldiers in the zone do not conform to the rules of engagement anywhere in the world.

Police spokesman Loveth Oda, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said she was not aware of the incident.

“I am not even aware that they have an office in Ebonyi,” she said.

The spokesman of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu, Col. Sagir Musa, could not be reached for comment yesterday.