Soldiers kill two ex- MASSOB members in Onitsha

Posted by admin Headlines Sunday, October 9th, 2011

Soldiers Saturday killed two persons suspected to be former members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, in Onitsha, Anambra State following what was said to be a misunderstanding.

According to eyewitnesses, the two victims were members of MASSOB who had allegedly been terrorizing traders in the commercial city which led to their expulsion about three months ago.

Trouble was said to have started when the group was causing traffic hold up near the Onitsha Main Market in their bid to extort money from traders who were offloading their wares from a container.

The eyewitnesses disclosed that when the soldiers on routine patrol wanted to decongest the road, one of the hoodlums attacked them with a bottle, injuring one.

The injured soldier, who probably thought that the hoodlums were trying to disarm him, shot at them killing twoof the hoodlums in the process.

The incident threw the area into confusion as people who did not understand what was going on wanted to attack the soldiers.

It was gathered that prompt intervention of the Onitsha Police Area Commander, Mr. Larry Osita, who mobilized his men to the area prevented other hoodlums from seizing the opportunity to loot and damage traders’ goods.
When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, who confirmed the incident, said he was yet to get a detailed report.

MASSOBNational Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu said the hoodlums were among the 61 members of the movement expelled in the last three months.

-Vanguardwp_posts