Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the treason charge against its leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, and threatened to shut down the country if the Federal Government went ahead with the trial.
The movement insisted that the trial is aimed at frustrating its determination for self- actualisation.
Leaders of the movement, who addressed journalists in different parts of Anambra State on Tuesday, vowed that they cannot be intimidated by the Federal Government’s antics.
MASSOB’s Onitsha Regional Administrator, Onitsha North, Vincent Ilo, said the group, though non-violent, will be pushed to the wall if the Federal Government prosecutes their leader on alleged treason.
Ilo also said the group remained committed to the plan to pray and fast on June 8 for the liberation and emancipation of Ndigbo as well as remember the six Igbo people murdered in Apo village in 2005.
“As you are aware, six innocent Igbo traders were killed in Apo village, Abuja, extra-judicially on June 8, 2005 by policemen led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Ibrahim Danjuma.
“Seven years after the murder of our kinsmen, the principal actor in the said murder is still walking the streets a free man.
“It is imperative that the international community should know our security challenges in Nigeria. It is on this premise that MASSOB requests Ndigbo all over the world to sit at home on Saturday, June 8, to reflect on the continued massacre of our people in Nigeria,” he said.
He alleged that over 20 members of MASSOB were arrested by security agents on Tuesday in Oyi Local Government Council area, as they were having their normal meeting.
He called on President Goodluck Jonathan to order unconditional release of those members.
Ilo expressed dismay that the Federal Government was negotiating amnesty for Boko Haram members while it is planning a clampdown on non- violent MASSOB.
At Okpoko, in the Ogbaru council area, Personal Assistant to Uwazuruike, Emmanuel Omenka, and MASSOB Regional Transport Director in Anambra East council area, Charles Oputa, recalled the killing of the six Igbo traders at Apo village, Abuja, insisting that the sit-at-home is in their memory and those killed in the Northern parts of the country.
He also spoke of those killed and dumped at Ezu River in Amansea, Anambra/Enugu boundary town.
“We want to warn that on June 8, 2013, there will not be any vehicular movement and those having their weddings and other activities on the said date should postpone them in their own interest,” Omenka said.
He warned that offenders would be dealt with as it is the only way to honour the dead.
According to him, the sit-at-home starts from 6.00 a.m. and ends at 4.00 p.m. on the said date.
Omenka wondered why Uwazuruike will face treason trial while the Boko Haram religious sect that is killing, maiming and destroying property of innocent Nigerians will be rewarded with amnesty
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