Igbo group issues ultimatum to FG

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has issued a 48 hour ultimatum to the Federal Government to release its members arrested in Imo and Delta states.

Sun Newspapers reports that this declaration is coming on the heels of the alleged invasion of the residence of the MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, by security operatives.

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Speaking on the issue, MASSOB’s Regional Administrator, Awka South Region, Chief Arinze Igbani, said “We are giving the government of Nigeria 48 hours to release all our members abducted on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Ojukwu Memorial Library and Uwazuruike’s residence. We are also asking the government to forthwith, withdraw the purported invitation to our leader, Uwazuruike, as we view the action of Saturday as an assassination attempt on our leader.”

Adding that “Nigerian government should not increase its problem by trying to invite anarchy, where peace reigns. Curbing the Boko Haram insurgence in Nigeria should be its priority and not to look for trouble where there is none.”

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Sun Newspapers also reports that Igbani accused President Buhari and the Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha of plotting to imprison their leader.

Igbani said “The duo should understand that Uwazuruike is not only MASSOB leader, but the Igbo leader after the death of Ojukwu. Directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest Uwazuruike is an affront on Ndigbo, because such orders cannot be made against the Sultan of Sokoto or any Oba in the West.”

“We want to warn that whatever happens to our leader, the Ezeigbo Gburugburu II henceforth, we will hold the Nigerian President and Governor Okorocha responsible. It should be noted that MASSOB had never confronted the present government and is not against it. MASSOB is not brutal, not violent, but has carried its activities in the Biafran territories peacefully and does not see any reason for the Nigerian government’s invasion of Ojukwu Memorial Library, without regards to Ndigbo. We want to remind the Nigerian government of the content of the 1914 Amalgamation Agreement, which stipulates that on expiration of the agreement, any ethnic group has the right to be on her own if she desires, “ Igbani said.