The group in a statement by its Director of information Uchenna Madu urged Igbo in the southeast to observe a sit-at-home on Saturday to protest the killings of Igbo in the north and the general insecurity in the country.
The sit-at-home is also to protest the killing of Apo six in Abuja a few years ago as well as the death sentence passed on Rev. Emeka Ezeugo (aka-Rev King).
There was a protest march to the Anambra State House of Assembly by those opposed to the sit-at-home call.
There was also a bloody confrontation when MASSOB members’ creating awareness for the Saturday sit-at-home, clashed with policemen.
The clash took place at Nnobi and Awka-Etiti communities in Idemili South council Area of Anambra state.
No fewer than 11 members of MASSOB were allegedly injured and are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.
Anambra Police Spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka said the police were merely maintaining the peace.
Chukwuemeka denied that some MASSOB members were shot at. He described the incident as minor skirmishes. He however warned that the police would not tolerate illegal activities from disbanded persons or groups like MASSOB.
But MASSOB Deputy Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha accused the security operatives especially the police of killing MASSOB members fighting for the actualisation of a sovereign state of Biafra.
Mocha said the police took away MASSOB laptop machine, N8,000 and arrested Jude Ochi, Nnamdi Ezeaka, Nelson Ugboh, Ifeanyi Eboh and others.
Prince Ohaegbulem Jude of the Lagos state branch of MASSOB regretted that the Igbo have been marginalised, intimidated and made to be second hand citizen
He said the sit -at- home is unstoppable.
A former MASSOB’S second in command, Chief Rommie Ezeonwuka, insisted yesterday in Awka, that members would not allow MASSOB to be run as a private property.
He said there was no wide consultation ahead of the sit-at-home call.
Also yesterday, a group, the Association of Igbo Youths (AIYO), led by Annie Onyeagba, stormed the Anambra State House of Assembly with placards.
At the assembly complex yesterday, the young men and women were singing war songs, declaring that no closure of market or sit at home will happen on June 8.
The AIYO members said: “We want peace in Igbo land, we must love each other and be our brother’s keepers, and traders must be protected in Igbo land.
“No more fighting, intimidation, extortion, robberies, kidnappings in Igbo lands, never can Igbo become minorities again in Nigeria, we have no other home except Igbo land”
“Any force working against peace and securities of Igbo people shall be destroyed by Amadioha (Igbo deity)” the group said
The group was received at the Assembly complex by Hon Emeka Aniegbonam (Onitsha South), Hon Kenechukwu Chukwuemeka (Awka South 1), Ebele Ejiofor (Anaocha 1).
The lawmakers praised them for their maturity and being true representatives of Ndigbo and for being peaceful
According to them “this is the kind association we need in Igbo land, a lot of people do not want peace in Igbo land and this cannot continue”
The lawmakers assured the group that their matter would be looked into with immediate effect
But MASSOB insists that the sit-at-home protest would go on as planned.
Last month, MASSOB issued a statement declaring June 8, 2013 as a sit at home in Igbo land.
Furthermore, the group declared that markets and shops would not be opened on the said date.
The statement was signed by MASSOB’S Director of information Uchenna Madu.
According to him, “anybody who wants to sit at home would start it in his own area and not in Anambra, we will make sure that no trader closes his shop on that day, the action is unfair to Igbo people and we can not allow it happen” Ezeonwuka said.
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Source: Nation
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