The Imo State Police Command has summoned the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, to appear before its Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) over alleged criminal offences.
Uwazuruike was invited to report at the AKU headquarters in Owerri on Monday, October 20, the same day civil society organizations are expected to hold nationwide peaceful protests demanding the release of the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
According to the police invitation letter, Uwazuruike is to answer questions regarding alleged criminal invasion, forgery, and willful damage.
The letter, jointly signed by ASP John Ebute, ASP Eze Jet, and Inspector Alice Zakari, was dated October 16, 2025.
Reacting to the development, MASSOB described the police invitation as a possible attempt to prevent Uwazuruike from participating in the planned peaceful protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
In a statement issued on Uwazuruike’s behalf by his Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, and made available to newsmen, MASSOB confirmed that the pro-Biafra leader had been directed to report to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 20.
Mazi Mocha was quoted in the statement as saying that the invitation may not be unconnected to a recent viral video in which Uwazuruike stated that he would be part of any peaceful protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
The MASSOB Director of Information hinted that Uwazuruike, in the video, further said the protest is not only about Kanu but also about the collective dignity of the people.
Mazi Mocha asserted that the group has no problem with the police invitation of its leader but pointed out clearly that the summons was intended to prevent Uwazuruike from joining the planned peaceful protest on October 20.
MASSOB further noted that Uwazuruike has consistently advocated a non-violent approach as the guiding principle of Biafra’s self-determination struggle, maintaining that his support for the protest is based on conscience and justice, not confrontation.
