By AbdulWahab Abdulah

OWERRI— Following the recent arrest of  about 68 members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, in Emekuku, near Owerri, Imo State, a pan-Igbo group, Peace Accord, yesterday warned the Federal Government against the arrest of MASSOB  members, saying  it was a violation of their fundamental rights of freedom of association and movement.

The 68 members were arrested by the police on their way to the funeral of one Mrs. Margaret Anyaso, wife of the Chairman of Biafran Passport Commission, Ambrose Anyaso in Ulakwo, near Owerri.

Coordinator of Peace Accord, Mr. Malachy Nwachukwu, who spoke against the backdrop of reports that the authorities might resort to stern measures to arrest other members of the movement, lamented that such treatment could not be meted to other groups, such as Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, or the Odua Peoples’ Congress, OPC.

He however stressed that the non-violent stand of MASSOB persisted irrespective of provocations from the police, saying that  should not be a reason to clamp down on members of the association at will.

The group wondered why it was an Igbo group that was always clamped on by the Federal Government, in a country where every citizen was supposed to be free to belong to association of his or her choice. It expressed dismay at the singling out of an Igbo peaceful movement for persistent harassment, when violent groups in other parts of the country were given presidential treatment.

Referring to an incident in year 2004, in Okigwe following a MASSOB meeting,   which led to clashes allegedly masterminded by the police, the group noted that about 22 members of MASSOB were unduly punished and detained.

He said those who allegedly escaped included Daniel Tochukwu Ani, John Emeka Opara, Pius Ikenna Nzedu and Matthew Ugo Okere and others who were allegedly working for the actualization of the Biafra dream from outside the country.

According him, a reliable source within the police high command, confirmed that the authorities have begun underground moves against some MASSOB members in the area, saying government cannot fold its arms and allow some individuals to cause disaffection within the country.