Navy denies killing MASSOB members

The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, has denied the alleged killing of members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra by operatives of the command in Anambra State.
The CNC, which has its headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, is in charge of Anambra, Kogi, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
Ogoigbe, who spoke to reporters at the command’s headquarters on Saturday, said it became necessary for him to personally clear the air on the rumoured killing of the MASSOB members, which he described as untrue.
There had been conflicting reports that there was a clash between members of a pro-Biafra group, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and naval officers in Onitsha, Anambra State, where some members of the group were allegedly killed.
While some reports have it that as many as 10 persons were shot dead during the said clash, other reports put the death toll at between three and five.
The FOC stated that Naval personnel only shot into the air to scare a large number of MASSOB members, who were on a protest towards the Onitsha head bridge, as the protesting youths had already overrun the policemen on duty.
He stressed that the naval officers “did not injure, let alone kill a soul.”
Ogoigbe added, “To our surprise, MASSOB started claiming that the Navy has killed two of their men. I don’t know what they wish to achieve with this propaganda, fabricating stories against the Navy.
“We just want all well meaning Nigerians to know that no MASSOB member was killed in that area of Anambra State where the Navy was keeping the peace and carrying out their legitimate duties.
“It was not only Navy that was there, the police and other security agencies were also there, and they all confirmed that nobody was killed. I don’t know where MASSOB manufactured their story.
“That is why I am taking the responsibility to clear the air to avoid an unwarranted tension.”