Soldiers from 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, stormed Okpoko, Ogbaru Region security camp of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, on Monday and burnt some Biafran flags, mats and other
documents belonging to the MASSOB members.
Narrating the incident to journalists in Onitsha, MASSOB Director of security, Ogbaru Region 1, Mr. Monday Igwe said some soldiers in three Hilux vans arrived the MASSOB camp located at Emekekwe area of Okpoko on Sunday morning at about 9 a.m and shot sporadically into the air before setting fire on their valuables as well as Biafran flags which were
flying in front of the camp.
Though it was uncertain whether anybody sustained injuries, the MASSOB security officer insisted that some of his members sustained serious wounds as they were escaping from the soldiers’ attack.
When newsmen visited the area, smoke of the burnt articles were still billowing while some members of the group who escaped had returned to their base.
When contacted, MASSOB Administrator, Region four, Ayamelum, Chief Arinze Igbani confirmed the incident.
Chief Igbani who addressed Journalists in company of the group’s Ogbaru Regional Administrator, Hon Emmanuel Omenka condemned the incessant harassment of MASSOB members by soldiers.
They warned soldiers to stop harassing innocent and defenceless members of MASSOB who are engaged in non-violence to actualize the independent state of Biafra.
In his reaction, commander, 302 Artillery regiment, Onitsha, Col. T.A. Gagariga denied the report.
He said that some soldiers who were on regular patrol in the area heard some shots and decided to arrest the situation.
He said they immediately swung into action, adding that soldiers would continue to protect lives and property of Nigerians.
