MASSOB Leader's Supporters Clash With SSS

By Nnamdi Felix /Abuja

Hell was let loose this morning at the Federal High Court, Abuja as the members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) clashed with gun-wielding operatives of the State Security Service (SSS). The MASSOB members who beat the security operatives’ blockades at the gate of the court premises chanted war songs and praised their leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who was in court for the continuation of his trial.

As soon as Uwazuruike emerged from the court room, the MASSOB members raised the tempo of their praise singing and as Uwazuruike made to acknowledge the cheers of his supporters, the security operatives who were still angry with the number of the MASSOB elements who found their way into the court premises, would not have any of it. They forcefully tried to bundle the MASSOB leader into the waiting Nassarawa State prison vehicle.

This provoked his supporters and prompted them into action to defend their leader. Not a few of the security operatives and the MASSOB elements as well, left with swollen and bruised faces.

At this point, efforts of the leader of the SSS team to shield cameramen from taking shots collapsed as the supporters urged the pressmen to capture the event and relay it to Nigerians.

A security official with the Prisons Armed Unit threatened to shoot Uwazuruike if his people will not let go of one of their members who was being held by the supporters.

Festus Keyamo, who entered appearance for Uwazuruike during the court proceedings, had informed the court about the death of Mrs. Monica Uwazuruike, the MASSOB leader’s mother, who is yet to be buried as her only surviving son, Ralph, is still in detention.

He sought for a short adjournment to enable him file a new application for bail for the MASSOB leader in the light of the latest development.

Justice Murtala-Nyako, the presiding judge, adjourned hearing till 17 July 2007 after condoling the MASSOB leader over the death of his mother.

Meanwhile, operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) this morning invaded the venue of a press conference organised by Igbo National Council.

The press briefing was taking place in Enugu when the security agents stormed the venue and disrupted it.

Sources at the venue of the briefing said the SSS operatives insisted on taking officials of the council away to their office in Enugu. The operatives were still laying siege to the venue of the briefing at the time of filing this report.

The briefing was organised to address the plight of the Igbo people, particularly their marginalisation and the continued detention of Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).