MASSOB leader, Chief Uwazuruike arrested

(Monday, 23rd July, 2001)

By Chief Charles O. Okereke, Nigeria Masterweb

         Chief Ralph Uwazuruike                    Uwazuruike & MASSOB Guards

Reports from Nigeria say the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has been arrested by the police in Lagos. MASSOB is a pro-Biafran group campaigning for an independent state of Biafra for the Igbo speaking people of Nigeria. Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, was arrested at his home while meeting other members of the group. The arrest follows a month long security crackdown on the group which the government says is a serious threat to Nigeria's sovereignty. At least one million people died in the 30-month civil war to halt Biafra's attempt to secede in 1967. The war ended in 1970 with the defeat of Biafra.

People of the eastern states of Nigeria, both Igbos and non-Igbos have been crying marginalization in the scheme of things by the government. MASSOB believe Igbos are not fully integrated in the Nigerian polity, and that conditions which led to the attempted secession still prevail. They believe the only way out for Igbos is through self determination under an independent state of Biafra.

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