The Anambra state police command has detained a Catholic priest and five others for alleged involvement in Pro- Biafra group, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State Of Biafra (MASSOB).
The Catholic Priest Named Reverend Father Aniebonem and five other were detained by the police Anti- Kidnapping Unit of the Nigerian Police force at Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area in Anambra State.
Confirming the arrest, the Anambra state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said that on Monday September 25, 2023, the Police raided their office along Oyeagu Ifitedunu road on reliable information and conducted a search. He said the lots of incriminating items and unpatriotic material that shows their involvement in MASSOB were discovered in their office.
Meanwhile, briefing the Journalist, the Director of Information, MASSOB, Chris Mocha said that three people where initially arrested by the Police when their office was raided on Monday 25 September and while the Reverend Father who works at St. Patrick's Cathedral Church Awka went to the station on behalf of one of the detainee who Isa his in-law, he was also taken into custody by the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Awkuzu police department.
The Reverend Father considered the age of one the detainees by name Chief Sylvester Dinyelu who is 87 years old and sought possible release considering his age and instead of briefing the Catholic priest on reasons for the old man arrest, the police also detained the Reverend Father , his driver and two others for allegation of also belonging to the group.
Mocha clarified that the Nigerian Anambra Police now engage on random arrest and detaintion of Nigerians which is against the right and freedom of association of Nigerians as contained in Nigerian constitution as amended.
He confirmed that MASSOB have just engaged the services of their lawyers to ensure early release of all the people in police custody.
Meanwhile, the police disclosed that the case is still under investigation as at press time .
