Release OYC president—Igboayaka now! MASSOB demands

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has demanded for the immediate release of the president of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka.

MASSOB made the call in a press release signed by MASSOB National Director of Information, Comrade Edeson Samuel.

The statement, made available to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), was entitled “Release Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka Now!”

It could be recalled that DDM had, on February 10, 2025, reported that Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed Igboayaka’s arrest.

The Police spokesman said that Igboayaka is in their custody after he was reportedly “abducted” by gunmen in Owerri.

In a statement dated February 10, by Police spokesman, SP Joshua Ukandu stated:

”The Ebonyi State Command is aware of the information circulating in the media alleging the abduction of the president of Ohaneze Youth Council, Comr. Igboayaka Igboayaka on February 8, 2025.”

SP Ukandu noted that he was arrested following a petition submitted to the commissioner of police.

The petition alleged that he “disseminated false information capable of truncating peace and destabilizing communities in Ebonyi State”.

The medium further reported on February 11 OYC accused the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, of masterminding the abduction of its president.

OYC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Chinedu Ikem, made the allegation in a statement released same day.

Comrade Ikem insisted that Nwifuru is incapable of protecting the lives and properties of the citizens of the state.

He alleged that the governor orchestrated the arrest of Igboayaka to silence their voice.

This, he noted, will pave the way for Fulani killer herdsmen to wreak havoc in the state  and on Igbo land.

Reacting to the reports, MASSOB, under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu, condemned the “unwarranted and criminal abduction” of Igboayaka.

Leaders of Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Comrade Uchenna Madu

The statement reads: “The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu have condemned the unwarranted and criminal abduction of Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the President of Ohaneze Youths Council (OYC) in Owerri by Ebonyi state command of Nigeria police in a gestapo style.

“The Ebony State Police Command working for some influential politicians that are not comfortable with the eloquence and boldness of Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka’s.

“Exposure of corruptions and non-performances of some political office holders are behind this despicable and cruel abduction of the Igbo youth leader.”

Comrade Edeson lamented that the intimidation meted against the Igbo ethnic group must stop.

“Nobody should push us to the wall because there is a limit to human endurance.

“Igbo land is already boiling with government’s insincerity, hunger and restlessness,” he stressed.

MASSOB, therefore, demanded for the unconditional release of Igboayaka without delay.

Edeson wondered why “these self-centered politicians” will go the long hog to highjack all the Igbo pressure groups.

According to him, their frantic efforts stem from fear of losing 2027 general election.

He concluded with the exhortation: “Release Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka now. Don’t push Igbo land into unnecessary chaos.

“Those involved in his kidnapping are pushing the Igbo youths to wall of retaliation.”