ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB), has distanced itself from some separatists group in the forests of Oduma in Aninri local government area and her neighbouring communities of Nkerefi, Nomeh and Mburubu in Nkanu East LGA, all in Enugu State.
The Enugu state coordinator of MASSOB, Daniel Onyebuchi, stated this at the weekend, claiming that the criminal elements were terrorizing the areas in the name of Biafra agitation.
Onyebuchi noted that its intelligence shows that the gangsters operate in a camp within the borderline between Nkerefi and Oduma forest called Ngene Awa by Oduma people but called Okobo by Nkerefi people.
He said that the criminals have subjected members of the communities to slavery, where the indigenous people can no longer go to their farms in the present harvesting season because of fear of being kidnapped, raped or killed by the criminal youths.
“It is unfortunate that these youths with brighter futures have turned themselves into criminal activities by making kidnapping a lucrative business.
“MASSOB blames the state governments in the Southeast zone for their failure to create jobs opportunities and solid empowerment for our youths,” Onyebuchi lamented.
He further noted that MASSOB observed that about five persons have been kidnapped in those areas, including community leaders and those who could not pay the demanded ransom and have remained in the terrorists’ custody.
Onyebuchi stated that, “The neighbourhood security outfit in the area was attacked and disarmed by these unknown gunmen. MASSOB advised these gangsters youths to rethink damaging their futures. They should leave the forest now, stop every criminal activity in the name of Biafra agitation and be useful with their lives before is too late.
“It is very clear that these people are not fighting for Biafra actualization, because Biafra agitators cannot be involved in kidnapping, stealing, raping and making life unbearable for your own people whom you claim you are fighting for.”