The leadership of the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has alleged that the police conducted a raid on its regional office located along Awkuzu/Otuocha Road in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to a press statement issued by Chris Mocha, the Senior Special Assistant to BIM-MASSOB on Media and Publicity, the police operation took place on a Wednesday. During the raid, the group claimed that pictures of the late Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and Chief Raph Uwazuruike were removed. Additionally, 16 plastic chairs and various office documents were reportedly confiscated by the police.
Mocha also reported that three members of the pro-Biafra movement, including an 87-year-old individual named Chief Sylvester Dinyelu, were arrested by the police during the operation. The arrested individuals were said to have been taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) annex in Awkuzu.
The statement emphasized that the BIM-MASSOB members were peaceful and non-violent, and it called for the immediate release of the arrested individuals or for them to be brought to court if they were alleged to have committed any offense.
When contacted for confirmation, the state police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, provided a brief response, saying, “Thank you for the information.”
However, an anonymous senior police officer confirmed the incident and expressed the police force’s determination not to allow any such groups to disrupt the peace and governance of Anambra State. The officer indicated that the police were actively pursuing individuals who were attempting to create instability in the region.