Police Release Catholic Priest Arrested over Biafra Agitation

Cat:

Related stories

Drama as 16, 17-year-olds Now Allowed to Vote In UK Elections

By Abiola Olawale  The government of the United Kingdom announced...

Brazil’s Petrobras Weighs Return to Retail Fuel Market to Reduce Prices

Brazil’s Petrobras will discuss this week tweaking its mid-to-long-term...

Base Handover: France Ends Decades-Long Military Presence in Senegal

By Abiola Olawale France on Thursday officially ended its 65-year...

By Agency Report

The police have released a Catholic priest, Samuel Aniebonem, accused of supporting Biafra agitation in South-east Nigeria.

The priest was arrested alongside seven people on 27 September on the accusation that they were members of a pro-Biafra group, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

A spokesperson for MASSOB, Chris Mocha, who disclosed this in a statement in Awka on Monday, said the priest is of the St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Awka, Anambra State.

The seven people who were arrested have also been released, the statement said.

They include an octogenarian, Sylvester Dinyelu, Udebunu Anachuna, said to be a driver of the priest, Peter Udemefuna, and Christian Ifeji.

Mr Mocha, who is also an aide to the MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, commended the police for their “quick investigation” that led to the release of the priest and others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Catholic priest was detained when he visited the anti-kidnapping squad office at Awkuzu to find out why his in-law, Mr Dinyelu was arrested.

The police responded by detaining him, his driver, and others.

Mr Dinyelu was said to have been arrested with two others at MASSOB office within Oyeagu/Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra, when the anti-kidnapping squad stormed the office on 25 September.

The police spokesperson in Anambra, Ikenga Tochukwu, had confirmed the detention when contacted.

(NAN)

The New Diplomat
The New Diplomathttps://newdiplomatng.com/
At The New Diplomat, we stand for ethical journalism, press freedom, accountable Republic, and gender equity. That is why at The New Diplomat, we are committed to speaking truth to power, fostering a robust community of responsible journalism, and using high-quality polls, data, and surveys to engage the public with compelling narratives about political, business, socio-economic, environmental, and situational dynamics in Nigeria, Africa, and globally.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
2027: Buhari’s exit Cripples APC in entire North as CPC Loyalists Defect in Large NumbersDrama as 16, 17-year-olds Now Allowed to Vote In UK ElectionsSenate passes $9 billion in spending cuts to public broadcasting, foreign aid requested by TrumpBrazil’s Petrobras Weighs Return to Retail Fuel Market to Reduce PricesBase Handover: France Ends Decades-Long Military Presence in Senegal5 Oil Titans Who Revolutionized the Energy Sector2027: Dele Momodu dumps PDP for Coalition party, ADCBuhari's Honour: Tinubu holds special FEC session as Nigerians Mourn late Hero, Statesman. First Bank Crisis: In High-Stake Intrigues, Otedola Seizes Control with 40% Stake as Oba Otudeko Exits in N324.47bn DealElderstatesman, Emeka Anyaoku, Speaks Again , Urges Nigeria to Adopt a "People’s Democratic Constitution""Nigeria's challenges not about the constitution, but its operators", says ObasanjoNigeria Surpasses OPEC’s 1.5 Million Barrel Oil Quota in June 2025Natasha vs Akpabio: Senate President Heads to Court, Challenges Court Order to Reinstate SenatorOluwo Commends Awujale's Burial, Says Late Monarchs Shouldn't Be "Butchered Like Animals"Alleged N6.9Billion Fraud: Drama as Ex-Governor Fayose Wins in Court
X whatsapp