A Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), leader, Uchenna Madu has cried out about the arrest of a Biafran activist, Mr. Lotachukwu Okolie in Norway: “He was later released on March 13, 2015 after the Nigeria embassy visited Stockholm. Sweden declined issuing traveling documents to deport him because of some diplomatic interference.”
“Before his arrest Okolie, on August 29, 2014 led Biafra delegates to a meeting with Norwegian government in Oslo, represented by the Norwegian Parliament which has been acknowledged via a written letter to MASSOB. He has also led several peaceful non- violent demonstrations and public functions, even some diplomatic meetings in Oslo, Norway for furtherance of Biafra actualisation and restoration with official permit of Norwegian police.”
“On June 11, 2015, about 50 Norwegian police officers came to his house to deport him forcefully but he refused, preferring to die than be handed over to Nigeria DSS. He suddenly stabbed himself with a sharp kitchen knife in his stomach to help end his life but God kept him alive.”
“After spending 7 days in the hospital with major operation, they took him back to deportation prison (Trandum Deportation Prison) with the injury and pain. Again, after several protests and media outburst by MASSOB and other international interventions against Okolie’s detention by Norwegian police in collaboration with Nigeria secret police (DSS), he was released again on October 29, 2016 after completing the Norwegian lawful stipulated 18 months detention without trial.”
“Surprisingly, on November 23, 2016, Okolie was again re-arrested to the same prison but after some diplomatic interventions and acknowledgement, he was later released on November 25, 2016. Today, he is being persecuted, intimidated and traumatised by the Norwegian police working hand in hand with Nigeria DSS to frustrate his lawful moves to get asylum in Norway.”
“MASSOB is calling for the quick intervention of Human Rights Organisations including Amnesty International, European Union, World Council of Churches and Norwegian Association for Asylum to come to his aid.”