The Nigerian army on May 30th disrupted procession held by members of Pro-Biafra group to honour its fallen heroes , leaving in its wake scores of dead members and many others injured, it has been confirmed.
Members of the Movement for Actualization of the Soverign State of BIAFRA / Indegenous People of BIAFRA in their numbers in different parts of Onitsha ,Anambra state ahead of the annual rally to honour fallen heroes who lost their lives in the Biafran war, were arrested on the night before the anniversary as other members were reportedly killed .
The Nigerian Observer reliably gathered that on the night before the Biafran remembrance day ,May 30th 2016 when members and supporters gathered for a rally in Onitsha, Anambra state,a combined team of the Nigerian army and the police raided several places including homes and churches to arrest members .
The raid ,it was gathered was part of a covert operation by the military to apply the use of extreme force which includes brutality and killing of members of the group as a measure to prevent the rally from taking off.
According to information gathered , MASSOB/IPOB members who were arrested in the different parts of the state will be prosecuted on the grounds to commit treason.
The Nigeria army and the police in a coordinated operation before and during the rally have been reported to be responsible for the major loss of innocent lives of many supporters of BIAFRA/IPOB who were deliberately killed in the operation.
Reports in the media revealed that some of the members killed by security operatives were buried in shallow graves and others abandoned to rot away in the forest.
According to Amnesty International, the exact number of members of the group killed by security operatives is very high as unconfirmed sources put the number of deaths at over 60 as 80 others were injured and more than 100 arrested will be prosecuted.
Reports in the media suggest that the number of deaths could rise in the coming weeks .
Meanwhile, a statement released by the Nigerian army claimed it decided to carry out the operation as a result of the widespread tension and heightened fears generated by activities of the MASSOB /IPOB members in the country.
According to a list by the Nigerian army ,the following members of MASSOB/IPOB will face charges of treason when apprehended.
It includes Nnah Ugonna, Lucky Onuoha, Chibuzor Opara, Charles Iwuoha, Amarachi Okorie, Vincent Amadi, Emeka Chinaka, Osita Opara, Matthew Iwunze, Joseph Obodo, Michael Ejiofor, Odinaka Princewill, Emeka Success, Chidubem Patrick.
The others are Isaac Patrick, Ugochukwu Uzoagba, Chijioke Ozoemena, Daniel Chidi, Chinonso Daniel, Sunday Okeke, Gozie Christopher, Chukwuka God’s will, Ebuka Emeka, Uwakwe Ambrose, Emeka Uchendu, Oluebube Daniel, Joseph Ugochukwu, Odinaka Vincent, Modestus Amaechi and Onyedikachi Chinaka.
The statement further stated that the above mentioned members who have been declared wanted by the police will be prosecuted whenever they are arrested
