After15 years in detention, 19 MASSOB members regain freedom

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, on Monday, celebrated the selfless life of a former Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, during 10th anniversary of his demise in Enugu.

The group described the former Biafra warlord as the greatest Igbo man who ever lived and whose enemies tremble when he sneezed.

A statement by MASSOB’s leader, Uchenna Madu, said Ojukwu still remained the greatest Nigerian man that ever lived.

He said Ojukwu laid an unforgettable foundation for the enhancement and restoration of true Africanism and total liberation of the black man from western domination.

The statement read in part, “Ojukwu was the President of Biafra and a General of the Peoples’ Army. He stood for true justice, total freedom and equity for all. We are celebrating a living legend, a symbol of Igboism, the lion that his fear conquered the enemies of his people.

“Today, we have gathered to reflect, refresh and revive the consciousness of Ojukwuism in Igboland.”

Madu said that while they celebrated the selfless life of Ojukwu, the MASSOB family was also celebrating the release of their members from the Awka and Onitsha custodial centres after spending more than 15 years in detention without trial for merely agitating for justice, equity and fair treatment of the Igbo.

He stated, “Mrs Onyekachi Orji, Emmanuel Orji, Uche Idikaigbo, Michael Okezie, Uchenna Nicholas, Peter Igbokwe, Ikechukwu Agbara, Okwudiri Bassey, Chima Asor, Chinweike Irondi, Sebastine Amadi, Casmir Odokara, Ojemba Anyanwu, Eni Kalu, Ndubuisi Okam, Ikechukwu Chikwem, Chukwuma Kalu, Chidiebere Chikwem and Mmaduabuchi Asika journeyed through the valley of Nigeria’s injustice and inhumanity against the people of Biafra.

“They were falsely accused and prosecuted by the Nigeria police, abandoned by judges of federal high court and subjected to indescribable torture, psychological and traumatic pains by the Nigeria prison officials for the past 15 years.

“These great Biafrans survived and endured the hopeless dungeon until Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Christy Anyanwu intervened in July 2021 after our meeting with them at Enugu.

“MASSOB thanks the most eloquent and fearless Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who contacted the Eastern Bar during their 2021 annual convention in Enugu over the unjust plight of our members.

“We also thank J. K. Gadzama (SAN) and the team of lawyers from the Eastern Bar for their unrelenting efforts in securing the release of our members.

“MASSOB appeals for more intervention and extension of hands for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others unjustly detained because of Biafra.” (courtesy Punch, excluding headline)