The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday said its members did not perpetrate any crime during the sit-at-home it declared in Southeastern states.
MASSOB’s Deputy Director of Information Mazi Chris Mocha said those who committed crimes in Anambra State were fake MASSOB members.
Mocha said eight members were killed by soldiers; some others have been declared missing.
He said a 14-year old boy was killed at Anyamelum Local Government Area by soldiers; three others were killed at Bridge Head Approach, Onitsha.
The MASSOB leader said a man, Chukwuma, was arrested at Ogbunike Tollgate; another man, Innocent Okpoto, was arrested at Awka-Etiti.
He said robbery and vandalism were carried out by fake MASSOB members in collaboration with Association of Igbo Youths Organisation (AIYO) members.
Mocha said: “The fake MASSOB members and AIYO members set ablaze a police van.”
A man, Herbert Opara, who is based in the US, said he was robbed by people , who claimed to be members of MASSOB.
“It’s unbelievable that the Southeastern states would allow some groups of robbers to operate as MASSOB members.
“I was traveling to Lagos from Owerri on June 8. At the Onitsha-Owerri Road, near Idemili Bridge Oba/Obosi, our bus was stopped and all passengers were robbed.
“The suspects claimed they were MASSOB members and have the right to do anything in Igbo land.
“When I pleaded with them that I am an Igbo man living in the US that they should return my briefcase, they shot into the air.
“I stood my ground and asked them to return my documents and take the money.
“They started to beat me, shouting Anyi egbugo ozu, meaning they have made big money.
“One of them told me to open the bag and take my passport. I was given N10,000 to return to Lagos on the condition that I will not report to the army or police.”
In Abia State, the group said 30 of its members are missing.
But the police said only nine MASSOB members were arrested for allegedly carrying arms and combustible materials.
But the leaders of the group- Solution Edward, Davidson Ohaegbu and Emmanuel Eroh- said the whereabouts of 30 of their members are still unknown.
They said they have reported at the Ikwuano police station, the area where they were last seen.
Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna said six MASSOB members were arrested at the weekend in Ikwuano with cans of petrol, matches and used tyres.
Ogbonna said the suspects were transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for investigation.
