MASSOB demands release of detained 89-year-old member

The Biafra Independence Movement and Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign States of Biafra has demanded the release of one of its members, 89-year-old Moses Amaechi, who has been in police custody since October 12, 2024.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the Director of Information, BIM-MASSOB, Chris Mocha, said Amaechi was arrested by the Imo State Police Command, Tiger Base, Shell Camp, Owerri, since October 12, because he was in possession of a membership card belonging to BIM-MASSOB.

According to Mocha, the police also alleged that Amaechi is a member of IPOB/ESN and was sponsoring them to carry out heinous attacks on its facility.

He denied the police claims against their member, insisting that their member was not sponsoring IPOB/ESN activities as alleged by the police.

He said, “The Imo State Police Command, Tiger Base, Shell Camp, Owerri, have arrested an 89-year-old Biafran senior soldier, Chief Moses Amaechi and detained him since October 12, 2024.

“The public bus conveying Amaechi from Cross River State to attend a national meeting in Owerri was stopped, and all the occupants in the vehicle were ordered to be searched.

“During the search, a membership card personally signed by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike and belonging to BİM-MASSOB was found in Elder Amaechi’s possession.

“Amaechi, a veteran soldier with BİM-MASSOB, was subsequently arrested and taken into custody on October 12. He had been kept incommunicado in the Shell Camp, Tiger Base Squad, Owerri, the Imo State capital.”

The statement added that the police did not also allow his first son, who visited, to see their aged father.

According to the statement, Amaechi was on his way from Cross River State to attend a meeting at Ojukwu Library, Area G, new Owerri, preparatory to the Ojukwu Day celebration scheduled for November 26.

“The detained Amaechi is a member of BİM-MASSOB ably led by Ralph Uwazuruike, and not sponsoring or working for İPOB/ESN as alleged by the police.

“While we demand for his release, we wish to state that nothing incriminating was found on Elder Amaechi apart from a membership card of BİM-MASSOB, and membership of BIM-MASSOB is not AK-47 riffle,” the statement added.

When contacted, a source in the Imo State Police, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Yes, he is in custody. He was found with some questionable materials and investigation is ongoing, he would be released if found innocent please.”