Release Uwazuruike Now!

Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has called on the Nigeria police to immediately release its detained leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike from detention.

Chief Uwazuruike is currently in detention at the Zone 9 Police Command Umuahia, Abia State over an alleged involvement in the abduction of one Pascal Okorie, a Unitied States of America (USA)-based MASSOB member.

But MASSOB’s Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, in a chat with KlinReports, maintained that the incident leading to the alleged abduction of Okorie is an internal matter of the group, and warned the police to steer clear.

Madu disclosed that Okorie and his cohorts, including Nnamdi Kanu, Chukwuma Egemba and one Tagbo had, earlier, been expelled from MASSOB following their deviant activities. Their expulsion, he claimed, followed their threats to disrupt the forthcoming February 6 governorship election in Anambra state.

Madu denied the claim that Okorie was abducted by Uwazuruike, explaining that he (Okorie) was, rather, on information that he was in the country for his planned destabilization of the election, ‘picked up’ by Biafra Intelligent Agency.

The MASSOB’s spokesman, therefore, called for immediate release of Uwazuruike from police custody, warning that his further detention would spell doom for the country.

‘MASSOB is warning that we will not allow anyone or group using our name or Biafra to perpetrate evil in Biafra land. We demand that our leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, be released now in the interest of peace’, Madu said.

But the police have said there would be no bail for Uwazuruike unless a surety signs his bail bond. As it were, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Zone 9, Umuahia, Kingsley Iredibia, remarked that the MASSOB leader might be released, as preliminary investigations seem to reveal that the abduction allegation might not be unconnected with unsettled scores between Uwazuruike and the victim.

Iredibia said Uwazuruike ordered the arrest and detention of the victim at MASSOB Headquarters in Okwe, Imo State over his alleged threats through Radio Biafra that MASSOB would disrupt the in Anambra State guber poll.

Uwazuruike, Iredia said, took exception to the said inflammatory broadcast which contravened the ideals of MASSOB as a non-violent pressure group, and decided to call the erring member to order. He added that Uwazuruike, as it were, admitted subjecting Okorie to forceful detention, but denied that he was kidnapped for any financial ransom as alleged by the victim.