10 MASSOB Members Arrested in Cross River

Bassey Inyang in Calabar
Ten members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have been arrested by the police in Cross River State.

Information has that the MASSOB members were arrested on Monday in Ikom and Ogoja towns.
Mr. Okon Archibong, who claimed to be the spokesman of MASSOB in the state, disclosed to journalists in Calabar yesterday that those arrested included the state Coordinator of the movement, Samuel Okah.
Archibong said others arrested include Shedrack Chinelo, Chief Joseph Ekperebi, Michael Adah, James Ekeme and Adah Johnson.

He said they were arrested in Ikom and Ogoja on Monday night and detained at the Ikom police station.
Archibong said no reason was advanced for their arrest.

“We have not had any other activity outside the May 30 commemoration of Biafra anniversary, but last night the police from Ikom Division went to the home our state Coordinator, Samuel Okah and nine other persons and arrested them.
“I have gone to see them at the Ikom police station this morning and they are in the cell and I asked what offence they committed because during our anniversary march, we did not engage in any confrontation with anybody or group, not even with the police.”

Archibong said the MASSOB in the state has been very peaceful so there was no reason their members should be arrested.
He stated that the movement only staged a peaceful march in Ikom on May 30 to mark the anniversary of Biafra as directed by the MASSOB leader, Mr. Ralph Uwazurike.
Contacted on the matter, the
Police Public Relations Officer for Cross River State Police Command, Mr. John Eluu, said he was yet to confirm the matter.