MASSOB petitions Jonathan, IG over death of member

Posted by admin Headlines Friday, November 11th, 2011

Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over the death of Dr. Sylvanus Amuta who died after he was manhandled by the police in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State during the Igbo Day celebration on September 29, 2011.

Dr. Amuta was among the four police arrested after they were beaten to a pulp by the police at the Abakaliki Township Stadium. According to the petition, the Director of Information of MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Inspector-General of Police and copied to the Human Right Groups. Amuta, 70, “died after he was beaten up by police at Abakaliki during the Igbo Day celebration on September 29, 2011.

“He died as a result of internal bleeding after battling to save his life from an internal injury and psychological trauma inflicted on him by the security agencies. This systematical and extra judicial killing of our members by security agencies will not be swept under the carpet.” He added that the late Dr. Amuta hailed from Umuhu Omuma Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State and was Oru Regional Director of Biafra.

MASSOB also condemned what it described as insensitivity, ungodly and continued detention of three of its juvenile members which include; ThankGod Nwachukwu 13, Chukwuebuka Okata 14, Irechukwu Nogide 16 at Abia state CID Umuahia since 29 September, 2011. The petition which was made available to Daily Sun further stated that the trio were arrested with 59 others at Abia State University junction as they were attending the Igbo Day celebration at Abakaliki while others have been charged to court, the police still held the young boys, adding that some MASSOB members who visited them at state CID were also arrested.

Madu expressed dissatisfaction over the action of Abia State Police and described it as an act of cowardice and frustration. Just as they called on Mr. President and Inspector-General of Police to come to their aid and stop these overzealous policemen and military officers who molest, harass and detain MASSOB members who were not carrying arms or constitute violence but peaceful in their activities. And warned that they should not push them to the wall, “ they should allow us to be conducting our activities peacefully without molestation and torture.”

-Sunwp_posts