The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has disowned criminal elements masquerading as Biafra activists in the forests of Oduma in Aninri local government area and her neighboring communities of Nkerefi, Nomeh and Mburubu in Nkanu East LGA, all in Enugu state.
MASSOB disclosed 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.
Enugu state coordinator of MASSOB, Daniel Onyebuchi, on Saturday, said that the criminals have subjected members of the communities into 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 future have turned themselves into criminal activities by making kidnapping a lucrative business. MASSOB blames the state governments in Southeast zone for their failure to create jobs opportunities and solid empowerments for our youths,” Onyebuchi lamented.
He said 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.
”The neighborhood security outfit in the area was attacked and disarmed by these unknown gunmen. MASSOB advised these gangsters youths to have a rethink of damaging their futures. They should leave the forest now, stop every criminal activities 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 involve in kidnapping, stealing, raping and making life unbearable for your own people whom you claim you are fighting for,” Onyebuchi advised.