There was jubilation in several parts of South East of Aba, Onitsha, Enugu and Owerri, yesterday, as the news of the release of detained Emeka Okeke filtered in.
Until his arrest, Mr Okeke was the BİIM-MASSOB’s area administrator for Orsu council area in Imo state.
Okeke’s arrest on June 29, 2024 at his residence in Nganaome Ugwu Umuhu community was said to be as a result of a petition against him to the Police joint team with Ebubeagu security outfit alleging that he was a member of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Indigenous people of Biafra and its affiliate armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
İn the course of their investigation, Mr Okeke who had earlier denied the allegations leveled against him before the Ebubeagu / Police joint team of interrogators was released on Monday.
Our reporter who called Mr Deckan Ezeh on phone to ascertain the feeling of the residents of Nganaome Ugwu Umuhu community in Orsu council area of Imo state said Okeke’s release was a clear testimony of the efficacy of non-violence principle.
Also, in Owerri, the Imo state capital , members of the non-violent movement gathered in their large numbers discussing the development.
İn Onitsha post office, at the popular Newspaper stand along Old market road, it was a moment of joy as supporters were seen jubilating and giving the glory to the method adopted by the Indian trained apostle of Mahatma Gandhi, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.
At Umungasi, Aba, also the story was the same as one Comrade George Ejiofor, a publisher of Freedom tabloid Newspaper celebrated in style the safe return of Okeke who had spent about 16 days in Ebubeagu/Police confinement at its Orlu
office.
Confirming the release in a statement on Tuesday, BIM-MASSOB’s Director of information, Mazi Chris Mocha attributed the whole drama that played out to Ebubeagu/Police station to the glory of God and power of non-violence, non- exodus principles.
He enjoined the BIM-MASSOB members wherever they are found to always remain steadfast, focused and consistent with this principle, describing non-violence as the only panacea for the achievement of Self-determination of Biafra.
Mocha who doubles as Senior Special Assistant to BIM-MASSOB on Media and Publicity added that, ‘since the İmo state Ebubeagu/Joint team could not find any incriminating evidence to indict Mr Okeke of involvement in İPOB/ESN activities, the joint team had no other option than to release him, ‘he said.
Giving kudos to the leader of BIM- MASSOB, Ralph Uwazuruike, Mocha affirmed that their members were not only preaching non- violence and non-exodus in agitation for Biafra Independence, but were following the method meticulously.
