Army denies killing MASSOB members in Onitsha

Written by The Punch Friday, 27 January 2012

The Nigerian Army has denied killing members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, the Assistant Director of Public Relations, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, told newsmen in Aba, Abia State, on Tuesday that there was no iota of truth in the claim.

He said the allegation was the organisation’s propaganda to bring the army into disrepute.

Mr Uchenna Madu, MASSOB’s Director of Information, had alleged on Monday that soldiers killed three of its members in Onitsha and arrested 46 others.

Musa said that when attention was drawn to the report, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Idoko, made contacts with the Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, who denied  the report.

He said the GOC also contacted the Commander of 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, who also denied the report.

“The two commanders, including the one in charge of Onitsha, denied the report of the killing of MASSOB members in the commercial city,” he said.

Musa reassured the public that the army would continue to exhibit the highest level of civility in dealing with civilians. (NAN)