The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has demanded the release of the corpses of its members, as well as other pro-Biafra activists, who were killed in clashes with security agencies on Monday.
The pro-Biafra agitators were killed in the course of rallies held to mark the 50th anniversary of the defunct Biafra Republic.
MASSOB warned that the agitation for Biafra could take a violent turn due to what it described as “unprovoked killings” of pro-Biafra activists by the security agencies.
The group also demanded the unconditional release of pro-Biafra agitators that were arrested by the police during the event, which held in various cities in the South-East and South-South.
About 30 Biafra activists were reportedly killed in Onitsha, while five others lost their lives in Asaba, in clashes with security agencies.
Several others were arrested as the secessionists commemorated the jubilee of the defunct Biafra Republic, which was declared by late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, on May 30, 1966.
The National Leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, who made the demand in a statement, said “MASSOB demands the unconditional release of all Biafra agitators arrested yesterday (Monday), we also demand the release of bodies of dead ones.”
He also demanded the release of leaders of the pro-Biafra movement, including the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Biafra Zionist Federation, Ben Onwuka, as well as Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and 23 others detained at Awka and Onitsha prisons.
“These men are prisoners of conscience who committed no criminal offence, they are only exercising there fundamental rights of existence,” Madu added.
The group blamed the governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, for the attacks by security agencies on pro-Biafra agitators in the state.
“Anambra State is part of Biafra, we shall continue to exist and have our programmes in Anambra State,” it said, while also criticising “key Igbo leaders” for not speaking out against the killings.
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