Tension rises as traditional rulers, 200 others join MASSOB in Enugu

Members of the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) during their rally to mark the 17th anniversary of the movement, in Awka, Anambra state

- The agitation for Biafra gains momentum as about 200 join MASSOB in Enugu
- The swelling ranks also include some traditional rulers from the state
- The mobilization of new members is something that has caused security worries in the past.

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB) has recorded a victory as the leadership reveals that some traditional rulers have joined up in the pro-Biafra struggle.

Chief James Omeke, the leader of MASSOB- Biafran Independence Movement (BIM) in Enugu North zone of Enugu state, while speaking to the press, during the mobilization and sensitization of the new members from Igbo Etiti region, revealed that their numbers are rising daily.

Chief Omeke also added that the new members were being taught that non-violence would earn them their sovereignty.

He also explained that the regional administrator of Igbo Etiti, Mr Jude Elugwu with other members traveled the entire Igbo Etiti to sensitize people and recruit new members.
He said: "We see the recent mobilization and sensitization of people of Igbo Etiti region as very successful as we now have in our fold traditional rulers and about 200 new committed members enlisted into MASSOB-BIM.
“I cannot reveal the identity of the traditional rulers because it is not in my power to do so. Our national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike will do that when the time is ripe.

“We told them that our national leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike had taken the matter up to the level of United Nations (UN), intimating them of his plans to carve out Biafra from Nigeria.
"The mobilization of new members witnessed a large turnout of people from twelve villages. We conscientised our new members on why MASSOB-BIM remained non -confrontational, we told them how we intend to actualize Biafra without a single gunshot.
"Our message to them is Biafra, our weapon, is non-violence."

According to vanguard, the MASSOB-BIM leader also went on to congratulate Chief Ralph Uwazuruike for the opportunity given the zone to go out and mobilize and sensitize people for self determination.

Omeke said MASSOB-BIM believed so much in the ability of Chief Uwazuruike to deliver Biafra to the Igbo. He therefore called on all Igbo sons and daughters to give all necessary support to MASSOB-BIM to actualize their freedom.
Meanwhile, Uchenna Madu, the MASSOB leader in Abakaliki in a statement on Sunday, March 26, said the Biafra republic can be resolved through referendum instead of war and violence.

He said: "Nigeria was on January 1, 1914 artificially cobbled together by the annexation of the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria in an exercise officially tagged ‘Amalgamation’.
"Decades of massive bloodletting which interrupted these monumental failures came to global reckoning between 1967-1970 when eastern Nigeria found itself in a genocidal war."