Panic In Onitsha Over Reprisal Attack By MASSOB ,

There was tension and panic in Onitsha and environs following the alleged reprisal attack today by Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB).

And already there was a report of alleged stabbing and extortion of four hundred thousand naira (N400,000) from a trader at the Ugwuagba Obosi Old Motor Square Parts Market allegedly by MASSOB which precipitated the crisis.

There was an emergency closed door meeting by all the Chairmen and Secretaries of the markets in Onitsha to advance measures to forestall further encroachment of MASSOB in the day to day affairs of the markets.

Ugwuagba market chairman, Ifeanyi Okafor presided over the Awada meeting with all the branch chairmen of traders in attendance.

But there was a mild drama according to sources at the meeting as chairmen who were not indigenes of the state were shut out from participating in the meeting not without irritation from them.

A stakeholder who preferred to be referred as Human Rights Liberation Group, leader, Chief Nnamelugo Nwokolo, said the exclusion of the non indigenous chairmen from the meeting was unfortunate and act of discrimination against their fellow traders.

 He however called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar and President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene adding that its main concern is based on complaints received that some market chairmen were excluded from the Union when they were supposed to be part of the meeting.             

 MASSOB and the traders had on Monday had a bloody clash and MASSOB  leader Onyemaechi Nnaemeka allegedly removed on the others of MASSOB Leader Chief Ralph Uwazuruike. MASSOB security office along the Onitsha/Owerri road was shut. 

It would be recalled that on Monday that no fewer  than seven persons sustained injuries when members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) clashed with traders at the Old Motor Spare Parts, Mgbuka in the commercial city of Onitsha.

The traders, it was gathered, in a violent riot barricaded the ever-busy Onitsha-Owerri Road, wielding dangerous weapons in search of the members of MASSOB, who allegedly attacked some traders in the market over non remittance of tolls collected in the market.
Alhough no life was lost, property worth millions of naira were destroyed during the impasse including the building that was housing the offices of MASSOB located behind the Mgbuka market which was completely demolished by the angry traders.
A source, who did not want his name in print told Daily Sun that trouble started when a trader (name withheld) was approached by members of MASSOB demanding some money before he could be allowed to continue constructing a shopping mall in the area.
The source disclosed that the man refused to part with the undisclosed amount  allegedly demanded by the boys, which led  members of the movement to descend on him.
It attracted the traders who revolted over the menace of the boys in the market.
However, when news of the attack on the trader filtered into the market, the traders went on rampage, in search of MASSOB members.
They made bonfire before they stormed MASSOB office along Onitsha-Owerri Road and demolished it.  When Daily Sun visited the scene, traders in their thousands were still busy pulling the MASSOB office down while joint Army/Police patrol vehicles were stationed along the road to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who spoke through the Director of Information, Uchenna Madu condemned the attack on the traders by the members of the movement and apologised that the boys did not act on instruction.
Chief Uwazuruike said the Director of Security, Emeka Timebomb and other officials of MASSOB in the area have been suspended for the act, adding that the movement shall no longer tolerate any further harassment of traders on the guise of MASSOB.
“MASSOB is not in support of any attack on peaceful traders who are also Ndigbo, we have been fighting for the liberation of Igbo nation and not to harass them. So the boys were on their own and the Director of Security in the area has been suspended and we have constituted a high powered committee to investigate the constant attack on the traders by these boys and anybody found wanting must be punished. I am personally apologizing to the traders to remain calm as we shall unravel those behind the act” he said.

When contacted, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the incident and said no life was lost while reiterating the efforts of the police in the command to restore peace in the area.