A Catholic priest and five others apprehended on suspicion of links to MASSOB.

A Catholic priest named Rev. Fr. Samuel Aniebonem, along with five others, has been arrested by the anti-kidnapping unit of the police in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State. They are detained on suspicion of having ties to the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

During a police raid on the group’s office along Awkuzu/Otuocha road in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, three individuals were arrested. Father Aniebonem, who is related to one of the detained members of BIM-MASSOB, visited the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awkuzu to inquire about the arrest of his 87-year-old in-law, Sylvester Dinyelu, and potentially secure his release.

According to a source, he was also arrested and held in custody out of suspicion that he might be affiliated with the non-violent and non-secessionist movement.

His driver, Mr. Udebunu Anachuna, who had driven Father Aniebonem to the police station, was likewise arrested, along with Mr. Christian Ifeji, Johnson Anagor, and Mr. Kanayo Madu.

A similar incident occurred in Onitsha when Mr. Mathew Ani was arrested on Tuesday on allegations of being associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which he had previously denied. Mathew claimed that he was not a member of IPOB but belonged to Uwazuruike’s BIM-MASSOB.

Confirming the situation in Onitsha, Mazi Chris Mocha, the Director of Information for MASSOB, stated that Mathew was being held in the Area Command’s cell in Onitsha. Mocha added that they had engaged a lawyer to secure the early release of the detainees, including the 87-year-old man.

In response, Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson (DSP), confirmed the report and said, “Our operatives, acting on credible information, conducted a raid on their office along Oyeagu Ifitedunu road on 25/09/2023 and discovered a significant amount of incriminating items and materials that displayed disloyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the case is still under investigation as I speak to you

source: LIB