The crisis rocking the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has taken a new twist with the organization’s director of information, Mr. Uchenna Madu, warning members to steer clear of the meeting convened in Owerri today by its leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, as there is most likely to be bloodshed during the meeting.

In a statement made available to reporters in Awka yesterday, Madu said it was improper for Uwazuruike to convene such a meeting when the mayhem that led to the loss of several lives at Okwe, Uwazuruike’s home town, was yet to calm down.

He said: “Uwazuruike has just summoned a meeting of all MASSOB members at Owerri for Saturday, 30th August, 2014. We see this as another evil plan to sacrifice the blood of some members.

“Because of the face-off between Uwazuruike and the Nigeria police, there was unwarranted death of some members from Onitsha at Okwe on the order of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike recently.

“The death of our members from Onitsha has exposed the selfishness and insensitivity of MASSOB leader who uses the organization to enrich himself.

“MASSOB lost 18 members in Onitsha during the last sit at home exercise on June 08, 2013 which was a total flop. During MASSOB two months camping at Kilometre 7 Onitsha-Owerri Road, beside old spare parts market, Obosi, on the order of Uwazuruike, MASSOB lost about eight members and these young Igbo youths have not been given proper burials, neither have their families been consoled. In fact, their names no longer exist in MASSOB register.

“Our members should be aware that security situation in Imo State is not healthy for MASSOB because of the ongoing crisis and death of our members at Okwe recently.

“This Owerri meeting is merely to create tension and bloody encounters which may result to sacrificing more innocent lives.

“Because of Uwazuruike’s actions, MASSOB members are no longer interested in Nigerian politics. Since he threw MASSOB into the open market of Nigeria politics, anybody, group or political party who needs MASSOB members’ political support, campaign and vote should also involve MASSOB regional administrators, zonal leaders and national officials in their discussions and modalities for them to succeed.”

•Text courtesy of Saturday Vanguard. Photo shows MASSOB activists during a rally.