ONITSHA — FOUR suspected members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) have been arrested by the police in Onitsha for alleged breach of law and order. The police also arrested a suspected notorious armed robber who is now assisting them in investigating what would lead to the tracking down of the robbery gang. Spokesman for the Anambra State police command Mr. Kolapo Shafoluwe disclosed this yesterday in a telephone interview with the Vanguard.
Shofoluwe said the suspected MASSOB members were arrested on Thursday, August 26, a day MASSOB directed the people of old eastern region to sit at home in protest against perceived injustices meted out to the people by the federal government.
Similarly, a one-day seminar to sensitize the members of the Anambra security committee aimed at inculcating discipline and enhance cordial relationship between the police and the group has been organised by the committee. Speaking with the Vanguard, former President of Anambra State Market Almalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) and chief consultant to the governor on markets and union matters, Mr. Emeka Asoanya said the seminar was put together because of the activities of some members of the security committee in the discharge of their duties in Onitsha and other parts of the state.
He described as illegal, persons who carry matchets and parade Onitsha in L300 buses claiming to be ASMATA security members and emphasized on the need for the state security committee to work with the police in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said that three of the four MASSOB suspects were arrested near the main market Onitsha while the remaining person was arrested at Arroma junction, Awka. He said the three suspects were caught in an attempt to disrupt business activities in the market, adding that three Biafran flags were recovered from them.
Shofoluwe said the suspects who are being interrogated at the police command would be prosecuted as soon as investigations were over. He said that appropriate measures have been put in place to check the high rate of armed robbery in the state during the ember months.
Shofoluwe said in spite of the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of police, the command was prepared to protect lives and properties of residents in Anambra.
