The Police in Anambra State have released seven persons, including an 87-year-old Catholic Priest arrested few days ago over alleged agitation for Biafra.
The arrested persons were accused of being members of Chief Raph Uwazuruike’s Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
They include Rev. Fr. Samuel Aniebonem, 87-year-old; Chief Sylvester Dinyelu, and five others.
They were arrested by the Anti-kidnapping unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area (LGA), which used to serve as the Anambra State headquarters of the banned Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Father Aniebonem, who serves at St Patrick’s Cathedral Church, Awka, hails from Ifitedunu town, where three persons were arrested when the Police raided MASSOB office in the area last week.
Director of Information and Senior Special Adviser to BIM-MASSOB on Media and Publicity, Mazi Chris Mocha, said in a statement in Awka that there was jubilation in Awka and Onitsha following their release.
According to Mocha: “While it is a right for the oppressed peoples to agitate for independence, the peaceful method has remained the only panacea for the achievement of the self-determination for Biafra.”
He urged their members to remain consistent, resolute and steadfast by following Uwazuruike’s footsteps, which according to him, was the only way through which the State of Biafra could be achieved.