Rev. Fr. Samuel Aniebonem, a Catholic priest, and five other people have been held by the Anambra Police for allegedly being members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
The revelation was conveyed in a press release to media by Mazi Chris Mocha, Director of revelation, MASSOB, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Awka on Friday.
According to the statement, Aniebonem and five others were apprehended on Wednesday, September 27, by the Nigeria police anti-kidnapping squad in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra.
On Monday, September 25, police stormed the group’s office along Awkuzu/Otuocha road, Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state and arrested three people, according to Mocha.
According to the statement, Aniebonem, who works at St Patrick’s Cathedral Church in Awka, comes from Ifitedunu town and became involved when he visited the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awkuzu on behalf of his in-law.
Mocha stated that the priest had gone to see Chief Sylvester Dinyelu, his 87-year-old in-law who had been arrested by the police, to find out why he had been imprisoned and potentially arrange his release given his age.
He claimed that instead of briefing the priest on the reasons for Dinyelu’s detention, the police arrested the Reverend Father on suspicion of being a member of the movement as well.
Mr. Udebunu Anachuna, the driver of the priest who transported him to the police, was arrested on the same charge as Mr. Christian Ifeji, Johnson Anagor, and Mr. Kanayo Madu.
Mocha stated that a similar occurrence occurred in Onitsha on Tuesday, September 26, when one Mr. Mathew Ani was arrested on suspicion of membership to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He stated that random police arrests must be stopped because they violate the principles of citizens’ right to free association and movement as enshrined in the Nigerian constitutions as amended.
“We have just engaged the services of our lawyer to ensure the early release of the men, including the 87-year-old man,” Mocha said.
The Police command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in Anambra, Mr. Tochukwu Ikenga (DSP), confirmed the arrest and detention when contacted.
“Our operatives working on reliable information, raided their office along Oyeagu Ifitedunu road on Monday September 25.
He said that a lot of incriminating items and unpatriotic materials showing the movement’s disloyalty to the Federal government were found there.
“Temporarily, the case is still under investigation as I talk to you,” he further disclosed. (NAN)