The Nigerian Navy has denied the alleged killing of members of the Movement of the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOP, by its men in Anambra State.
The Central Naval Command, CNC, with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, is in charge of Anambra, Kogi, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.
The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, based in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, who spoke to newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Yenagoa yesterday, 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 have been conflicting reports that there was a clash between members of a pro-Biafra group, Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and Navy personnel in Onitsha, Anambra State, where some members of the group were allegedly killed.
While some reports have it that as many as 10 were shot dead during the said clash, other sources put the number of deaths at between three and five.
The FOC recounted that Navy personnel only shot into the air to scare a large number of MASSOB members who were on a protest march towards the Onitsha head bridge as the protesting youths had already overrun the police that were on duty at the bridge head and did not injure, let alone, killing a soul.
Ogoigbe said, “No such act was ever committed. The MASSOB group was on a protest march. They overran the policemen that were on duty and were coming towards the Navy personnel. As they approached, the Navy fired warning shots into the air to scare them away and they all dashed away. There was never any body that died in the process.
“To our surprise, MASSOB started claiming that 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 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.”
Corroborating the FOC’s position, Commanding Officer, Naval Outpost, Onitsha where the incident happened, Navy Capt. Dika Kwabe, said there was no proof in the claim by MASSOB that her members were killed by the Navy.
Kwabe said the Commissioner of Police in charge of Anambra State Police Command had addressed the press, debunking the rumour.
He said the incident took place last Sunday when over 500 MASSOB members with machetes and sticks processed to the Onitsha Bridge where security agencies, including the Police, Navy, Road
Safety Corps and the Army which made up the Anambra State security outfit codenamed “Operation KPUCHAKPU” were on duty at various parts of the area.
