Biafra groups clash over Avengers

The activities of militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is causing a sharp division among pro-Biafra groups in the country.

While some groups agitating for the sovereign state of Biafra have identified with the NDA, others have distanced themselves from the militants group citing nonviolent approach to agitation for a sovereign state as the reason for their action.

The latest group to dissociate itself from the activities of the militants is the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) which on Tuesday, June 21, issued a statement distancing itself from any alignment with the NDA, Vanguard reports. The youth wing of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) said it has no link with NDA  and neither MASSOB loyal to Chief Ralph Uwazurike has any link or pact with any militant group. BIM reacting to the statement credited to the factional MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu that MASSOB is in support of the NDA activities in the Niger Delta said it still believes that non-violent approach is the only panacea for the achievement of self-determination and actualization of sovereign state of Biafra.

The group urged the general public to disregard the statement made by Madu and warned that it would strip naked anybody including Madu if they did not change their approach towards actualization of Biafra. But reacting to BIM’s statement and threat, leader of MASSOB Uchenna Madu dismissed it as the ranting of an ant. Madu said that Uwazurike ceased to be the leader of MASSOB the day he was suspended and he allegedly confirmed his exit by declaring to the world that BIM is his new Biafra agitating group. He dismissed suggestions that MASSOB has a  youth wing, adding that anybody claiming to be representing and speaking for the youth wing of MASSOB is joking.

He also said that MASSOB has no faction, explaining that what BIM members call MASSOB youth wing is BIM youth wing. Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed why it believes the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu is making effort to stall his trial. In an interview with journalists at the court on Monday, June 20, counsel to the DSS, M. S Labaran who made the allegation said, a fresh motion on notice by the defendants was aimed at stalling trial. He said the motion on notice by the defendants is very fundamental and strongly worded, adding that the motion is important and requires the response of prosecution.