posted
We have all been so busy trying to make sense out of the confusion our so called leaders have presented in the recent past...
Lets not forget to analyse other current issues. The Igbos seem to be in for a bashing again from all fronts with the political leader ship in disorder and having been effectively alienated, and with the Arewa screaming for blood on the one hand and the government using their machinery to devastating effect on the other.
now MASSOB is in for it.
Guys I hope our confab delegates are taking note of these...
A HUMAN rights group, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), has alleged that the Federal Government has continued to arrest, detain and torture members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in defiance of a court order.
In a letter by its South-East zonal director, Okey Nwanguma, the CLO said security operatives have continued its brutal crackdown on MASSOB members.
Nwanguma pointed out that mobile policemen are still in the habit of invading the homes of MASSOB members in gross violation of their rights to freedom of expression and association.
He stated: "They violently break up peaceful assemblies of the group and in the process, maim and detain indefinitely members of the MASSOB. There are instances where policemen plant false evidences on detained members and parade them before journalists on false charges of armed robbery".
The zonal director noted that as a result of police actions, leaders and members of the group are fleeing to neighbouring countries for safety.
"Of particular interest is the case of the MASSOB leader in Okigwe, Mr. Linus Uche Umeorji, who fled his home since 2001 and has not been seen after the security agents mounted a manhunt on him.
"Late February 2005, the provincial administrator of MASSOB in Anambra State, Mr. Peter Ibeshi, cried out against the fresh arrest of over 130 of his members in parts of the state. Also on February 17 and 18, a joint team of police and State Security Service (SSS) operatives swooped on MASSOB members at a meeting in Aguleri and arrested 75 persons.
"The same team arrested 55 other members at Awkuzu in Oyi Council, removing N18,700 belonging to one of the arrested activists".
The CLO expressed dismay that all these assault are going on despite the order by Justice J. E. Shekarhio of the Federal High Court, Owerri, which restrained the Federal Government from continued use of the police and SSS operatives to violate the rights of MASSOB members.
While calling on the Federal Government to obey the subsisting court order, the CLO chieftain observed that the respect of the rule of law remains the bedrock of democracy.
FOR allegedly participating in a Biafran freedom football tournament in Lagos, 53 Igbo youths, alleged to be members of Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos on a three count charge of treason.
In prison custody since September last year, the youths were accused of planning to launch a war on Nigeria by participating in the football tournament.
At the arraignment, only 49 of the 53 Igbo youths were brought to court forcing presiding judge, Justice Marcel Awokulehin to adjourn till March 22, saying he will not accept piecemeal arraignment of the accused persons and ordered that all the accused be produced before their plea could be taken.
The 49 present were brought in a single Black Maria from Ikoyi prison even as the two women among them, who were detained at the Kirikiri prison, were not brought to court. One other detainee, in the group, is however said to be missing as prison authorities could not account for his whereabouts.
By participating in the football tournament, the court was told that the accused tried to intimidate President Olusegun Obasanjo and also interfer in the administration of the laws of the federation.
Charges filed against them read thus:
That you Sunday Nwaibe (m), Frank Williams(m), Stephen Solomon(m), Okechukwu Ighi(m), Nathaniel Onwuali (m), Benson Efughi(m) Ifeany Ezekpese(m), Ikwueze Oliver(m), Judemaris Egbolu(m), Christopher Okafor(m), Ikechukwu Agbome(m), Sunday Ozor(m), Jude Ozoemena(m), Ize Stanley(m), Augustine Okechukwu(m), Cbioma Agu (f), Gloria Mokwe (f), Obiora Nwoye (m), Uchechukwu Udecha(m), Chinedu Ogbuji(m), Okafor Onyeka(m), Monday Okoli(m), Ogboma Igwe(m), Eric Ojimaduekwu(m), Ukanwa Charles(m), Mark Odinkunigbo(m), Okechukwu Igweokolo(m), Osa Obinna(m), Paul Ibe(m), Oliver Nwafor(m), Michael Okonkwo(m), Vincent Anayo Ani(m), Chukwania Ugochukwu(m), Emeka Ezenwaka(m), Chukwuma Ugbochukwu (Mm), Chinonso Enendu(m), Nicholas Anwunoba(m), Sunday Nworie(m), Stanley Okechukwu (m), Napoleon Nwachukwu(m), George Godwin(m), Gabriel Benjanin(m), Ifeanyi Ugwu(m), Amuche Onemekwe(m), Peter Febuluo(m), Joseph Cyprian(m) Uche Njoku(m), Emeka Stephen(m), Obinna Odenigbo(m), Daniel Ezeika(m), Chidiebere Nnuka(M), Chibueze Peter(m) and Fred Chinwuba of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on September 11, 2004 at Abule Ado Technical School, Ojo in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire with each other and other persons still at large to levy war against the Federal Republic of Nigeria with intent to intimidate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by participating in the launching of the Biafra Freedom Football Tournament at the said venue, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 3 7(2) of the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 77 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 as amended.
That you the accused persons on the 11th September, 2004, at Abule Ado Technical School, Ojo, Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court levied war against the Federal Republic of Nigeria by participating in the launching of the Biafra Freedom Football Tournament at the said venue, in order to intimidate the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 37(l) of the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 77 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 as amended.
That you accused persons on the September 11, 2004 at Abule Ado Technical School, Ojo, Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, participated in the launching of the Biafran Freedom Football Tournament under the aegis of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafran (MASSOB), an unlawful society for which you belonged and used in interfering with the administration of the law, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 62(2)(t) of the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 77 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 as amended.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
This is what most of us here should really be talking about. How can Obasanjo's stupid regime arrest young igbo men who want to use soccer to highlight the injustice in our crazed union. This young men most definetly do not have criminal history or penchant for violence. But this stupid government, with misplaced priorities deem it fit to arrest and throw them in jail, accusing them of treason. Just few days ago, a group that has been known to and which has a history of sponsoring violence, destruction of govt. properties threatened to unleash more violence if their demand of appointing a muslim into Obasanjo's latest misadventure;dialogue, is not met. Arewa group, made up senile old men with ulterior motive; who have in the past incited northern youths to kill, maim and destroy Igbo properties up north promised treasonable acts; yet no one has arrested them or admonished them.
My people it is time for us to use every tool and every opportunity to say enough is enough to Obasanjo and those Igbos that will sell their brothers for a pint of 'ogiri isi'
Posts: 380 | From: US | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
All these wonderful young Igbos in the prime of life mercilously imprisioned because they dared to hold an innocent football tournament under the auspices of MASSOB, a peaceful organization seeking freedom from the oppression of the wicked Nigerian state, corrupt to the core, as the whole world knows. We at BNW need to support these young people in their struggle against tyranny because their struggle is truly our own. The tenderness of their youth cries out for justice, and if once made aware, the world will be offended for their sakes. This story should be carried by CNN and the BBC. How can we help to effect this?
Nwa-Afor,
I don't think telling OBJ that enough is enough is going to do it. We need to tell ourselves that.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
We have wasted so much time on stupid so called leaders who standby while their youths are imprisoned for playing football. Any ideas how we might help these youngsters?
Posts: 621 | Registered: Mar 2001
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Public opinion is our greatest weapon against Nigerian tyranny. Lawmakers in influential nations should be sent an exposition of the facts in this case. I think you will see an outrage on their part that won't be easily silenced. But who will inform them and the world? Is it not us? For reasons such as this, we need to have a core of people willing and able to fight many of our battles with pen and ink, professionally drafting documents which describe, explain, condemn, or otherwise highlight issues and events of importance to us. Without such body of dedicated professionals willing to collaborate to produce accurate, complete and convincing print for public and governmental consumption, we and our compatriots are at the mercy of our adversaries whose evil deeds are hidden in obscurity.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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Massob revives memories of the horrors of the Biafran civil war A Nigerian secessionist group has condemned the authorities for charging 53 of its members with treason for playing in a youth football tournament.
It was organised by the banned group Massob, which is campaigning for a separate eastern state of Biafra.
Biafran sessetionist calls led to a three-year war in the 1960s in which more than one million people died.
"The government is intimidating people. It is not treason," Massob's legal advisor Uche Okwukwu told the BBC.
'Levied war'
According to the BBC's Sola Odunfa, the treason charge on Tuesday came as a surprise after the men had spent six months in custody.
Even if they see you with a Biafran flag they charge for treason Uche Okwukwu Massob's legal advisor
The charge sheet stated that by appearing in September championship in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, the men "had levied war on Nigeria".
Massob - Movement for the Actualisation of a Sovereign State of Biafra - was banned three years ago. It says it is pursuing its objectives for the Ibo people in eastern Nigerian peacefully.
Mr Okwukwu said it was now illegal for anyone to wear T-shirts, caps or stickers supporting Biafra's independence.
"Even if they see you with a Biafran flag they charge for treason," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
Several Massob members have died in the last three years in clashes with the police in south-eastern Nigeria, where it draws the bulk of its support.
The government is intolerant of its existence because it revives memories of the horrors of the civil war against Biafra in 1967, our correspondent says.
The case was adjourned on Tuesday until next week.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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quote: we need to have a core of people willing and able to fight many of our battles with pen and ink, professionally drafting documents which describe, explain, condemn, or otherwise highlight issues and events of importance to us. Without such body of dedicated professionals willing to collaborate to produce accurate, complete and convincing print for public and governmental consumption, we and our compatriots are at the mercy of our adversaries whose evil deeds are hidden in obscurity.
Greg, I think this is a point we should pursue seriously. There are quite a few orginasations all trying to do the same thing but its very difficult to assess the quality of their work.
Posts: 621 | Registered: Mar 2001
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300 MASSOB activists in jail –– Group alleges
ALPHONSUS NWEZE, Onitsha
ABOUT 300 members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) are allegedly being illegally detained in various police cells in the country by security agents while two of their leaders in Onitsha have been forced to flee the country.
Human Rights and Justice Group which made the allegation also raised alarm over the alleged systematic killings and forcing into exile of MASSOB members.
Last Monday 53 Igbo youths said to be MASSOB members were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos on three count charge of treason.
In a statement in Onitsha, Anambra State, the human rights group said the killing of innocent citizens, including MASSOB members by security agencies, has again raised fundamental questions concerning the protection of lives and property of people in the country.
The statement signed by the national co-ordinator of the group, Mr. Uzor A. Uzor and two other principal members of the body, noted that the country’s constitution does not allow for the detention of persons for days without trial.
The group condemned the recent manhunt of MASSOB members especially Mr. Remigus Alakwe, MASSOB Liaison Officer, Onitsha zone, by security operatives in Anambra State, which it said led to the sealing-off of his house at Onitsha Inland Town.
The group further said that because of this prominent MASSOB members in Onitsha such as Mr. Ikechukwu Ikenga, and Uche Umeorji, have escaped from the country to seek refuge in foreign lands to avoid being eliminated by security agents, especially the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
It also condemned the alleged arrest and killing of one Ikenna Obi, a MASSOB activist, at Nkpor, who was a trader at Onitsha Bridgehead Market.
The human rights group called on the Federal Government to stop all forms of killings and illegal detention without trial of MASSOB members across the country.
I think we first need a name to define such a core group. Why? because identity give a sense of belonging. After that we need a simple statement of the goals of the group. Perhaps at that point a forum could be created for members of this group, and timely cyber-meetings had each week to further define its thrust and methods.
Obviously progress would be slow at first as we feel our way through the merits and effectiveness various ways to proceed. I think the important thing for each group member would be, to be ready at a moment's notice, to take a given aspect of an issue and/or event, and produce an intelligible report in contrast with, or supported by the opinion of the Biafran view. Drafts can then be integrated into a larger document by multi-editorial review for relevance and continuity.
Once completed and agreed upon as to content and tenor by a majority of the group, that document would be a real-time response of the Biafran point-of-view to matters that affect Nd'Igbo, fully countering anti-Igbo sentiments and propaganda, as well as shining a light on anti-Igbo activities in BiafraNigeria, to be published here on this site for general comsumption, but more inportantly, deseminated to various governments via their foreign offices, or directly to their lawmakers. The timeliness of such documents will add a great measure to their effectiveness in educating ourselves and the world on the war against Igbo people in BiafraNigeria.
I think a good place to start is the oil question and the theft taking place now in the oil-producing regions(Igboland). As a matter of fact, I think the oil question should be the main target of our efforts in the beginning.
I also think a good argument can be made that the genocide committed against the Igbos was not merely because of the January 1966 coup, but devilish greed played a prominent role in the decision to "wipe out" a whole people. In other words, what better way to dis-possess a people of their land and wealth than to simply kill them all, as America pretty much did to the native Americans. But this would be only one aspect of the whole question and ensuing document, and contrary to other documents which may be created by the group in future, this particular one will have a timeless value.
At any rate, I think we can produce a factual and convincing document which no sane person or government will be able to deny without denying their own conscience. So I'm sure you get the general idea. And since it would be a group effort, it would be authored by and credited to the group, not any individual.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Folks Instead of the unnecessary insult and bashing of very decent Igbo sons, because of local politics we engage here, we should focus on issues like this. With the present situation of our people in nigeria i now forward every report of this nature to amnesty international worldwide. While i trust that God will someday set Ndi-Igbo free from nigerian shackles. Our situation in nigeria will surely change for good.
Posts: 524 | From: USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Police in Kaduna State have arraigned 17 members of the Movement for the Actuali-sation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), before a Chief Magistrate’s Court, for alleged treason, conspiracy and unlawful assembly, contrary to Section 410, 411 and 412 of the Penal Code and Section 97 and 107 of the Penal Code. No plea was taken as the accused persons were remanded in prison custody, to enable the Police complete investigations and remit a duplicate copy of the case diary to the State Ministry of Justice for legal advice. The prosecution told the court that on April 16th, the State Security Services (SSS), received informationService that a meeting of MASSOB members was going on at the lmperial Garden hotel, Sabon Tasha, with intent to create security problems in the state and other places. With the tip-off, the police said SSS men were dispatched to the venue of the meeting, where they arrested the accused persons, as they engaged themselves in discussion on how to carry out subversive activities. The prosecution alleged that the accused persons planned to put in place a parallel state of Biafra, with its own structures and functionaries. The court also heard that in the course of investigation, the accused persons confessed to be members of MASSOB, with the intention to “peacefully” create a state of Biafra. The accused persons arraigned before the court were Sunday Isaac, Damian Anenye, Kanayo Uke, Christopher Ntizi, Sylvanus Anyabuke, Bartholomew Ugoch-ukwu, Robert Uzoani and Ferdinand Enoch. Others include, Emmanuel Leleh, Samson Edeh, David Iheke, Enoch Uwake, Sunday Okiro, Godwin Omenuko, Austin Madu, Oliver Chidozie and Cyril Ugoeze. The Presiding Chief Magis-trate, Nasiru Idris, adjourned the case to May 26, for mention.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
This is interesting. Unfortunately, this is also likely to be one of the shorter threads at BNW since we know that cowards like MeBiafran who dominate this forum will soon go into hiding. It is well known that the noisiest people on this board, those who quickly resort to name-calling, and those renowned for their verbose outings on this board will now go into hiding or remain in hiding if they are already there. Look for the silence of the MeBiafrans, the Ukaobasis, and others.
The fact of the matter is that you cannot use fake names to effect anything. Fake names are fine when all you want to do is float ideas on the web. When you want to engage in serious writing, interviews, court challenges, etc., you must come forward with your real identity. The first time one of you shows up with a fake name at the UN or the US State Department, you will promptly put an end to your Biafra dreams and any ancillary complaints you may have.
Posts: 65 | From: Good Old USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
Chima Njoku, If we keep waiting for "God" to free us from the shackles of nigeria then we'll be waiting forever I promise you. Unless we take our destiny in our own hands at the right time, our situation will never change. In short, these Massob activists are begining to annoy me. I guess they will learn their lessons after they lanquish in those horrific nigerian jails for years. The way they make themselves easy targets just makes me mad as hell,... they should just stop completely if they won't go about their activities more covertly. Anyone who thinks that "peaceful means" will work when dealing with nigeria and her savage security forces need to have his or her head examined.
Posts: 136 | From: Massachusssets | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Fumi, I am honoured by your reply to a thread started by a "newbie"!
quote: The fact of the matter is that you cannot use fake names to effect anything. Fake names are fine when all you want to do is float ideas on the web. When you want to engage in serious writing, interviews, court challenges, etc., you must come forward with your real identity. The first time one of you shows up with a fake name at the UN or the US State Department, you will promptly put an end to your Biafra dreams and any ancillary complaints you may have.-Fumi
You are quite right there. It is just that BNW forum message board is not the UN nor the US state department, so I think the use of psynonyms or handles is still acceptable on this board. We are simply "floating ideas on the web" as it where. But Fumi using your real name also has disadvantages on a forum like this where political ideas are discussed. Remember that the way to freedom is not only through the UN or US State dept. There must also be those who engage in or call for militant actions to force their opinions on the Government and to create international attention to the plight of Biafrans. Or those who openly aknowledge membership of illegal or banned organisations like MASSOB or Mossop or one of the many secret cults we have. Such people would be ill advised to publish their views on the BNW message board using their real names as this would be puting them and their families in grave danger from the government agents of oppression, the SSS, Police, and/ or political assasins. More people have been assasinated under your bros Obasanjo than even under Abacha. So Fumi please heed my advice if you have something to say that is critical of the present government or militant in nature, then please dont use your real name. So fake names are not only fine to float ideas on the web, but they are also fine for the writers own security. When we get to the UN, we wont go there with our BNW handle, trust me. If Obasanjo can arrest youths playing football match for planning coup, and planning to seceed, then do you know what he will do to you and your real name when he catches you on the web clamouring for Biafran Independence? Na chop him go chop you...
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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laugh now awusa man, while it is still funny because he who laughs last laughs best. You will not have the last laugh. And zuhir... do I realy need to point out to you that zuhir is not your real name??? Na you fake pass guy. Why dont you try making comments like the one above with your real name make I show you how funny we can be? try and see.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
It is irresponsible for you to behave this way knowing that you were defeated in a war. You should have known that you would lose something if you went to war against your country and you lost.
quote: This is interesting. Unfortunately, this is also likely to be one of the shorter threads at BNW since we know that cowards like MeBiafran who dominate this forum will soon go into hiding. It is well known that the noisiest people on this board, those who quickly resort to name-calling, and those renowned for their verbose outings on this board will now go into hiding or remain in hiding if they are already there. Look for the silence of the MeBiafrans, the Ukaobasis, and others. Fumi
You have succeeded in getting your heart’s desire, me. I will, if given enough time, start digging you the way the other guys have and once I start there's no backing out. Although I would've preferred you come out or PM to share your urges with me instead of the public tirade. Oh well, I'm beginning to think about you now like Greg and Daud. I know you don't find AdeCONle and zuhir attractive and I don't blame you. You made a good choice in picking me, which tells me you have good taste. Let me warn that should I reciprocate to this strange feelings of yours and you turn out to be in fact a dude, I'll obliterate you, won't find it funny. Bye dear.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2482 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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It is you who is irresponsible zuhir, hiding behind a psydonym to criticize those using psydonyms. Appart from that you are a big coward like the rest of your ilk. that is why you had to ignore my challenge to publish your real name before making further comment. You choose to change the topic as an escape route. Those are cheap tricks zuhir. Don`t you have any constructive or intellectual input to this thread??
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
MASSOB members to be treated as robbers in Delta — Police
By Austin Ogwuda
Posted to the Web: Wednesday, November 09, 2005
ASABA — DELTA State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom, has warned that the Command would henceforth treat any member of MASSOB found in Delta State as an armed robbery suspect. Addressing newsmen in Asaba yesterday, the Police Commissioner said “the plan of MASSOB yesterday (Monday) was not to stop in Anambra State. They were to operate in this state (Delta), but my men were up and doing. We know that problems can start anytime anywhere. So we are always on the alert.
“The police blockage on our part of that bridge (Niger Bridge)”, he went on “stopped them from coming to this state. And I tell you any of them that comes here wants to meet his waterloo because as far as I am concerned, they are robbers. The way they go about collecting money what do you call them. It means they are armed robbers. If they come to my state, I am sorry we are going to treat them the way they are, anybody that wants to rear up his ugly head to say that he is a MASSOB man we are going to deal with him”, he warned.
Parades man arrested with Biafran currency
The Police Commissioner also paraded a suspected MASSOB member arrested with Biafran currency. The man, according to the Police Commissioner, was however arrested sometime in October this year in Warri. Said he: “while on surveillance patrol, information was received that one man, Igwe Clement of Akwuru quarters, Mc-Dermot Road, Warri was sharing some paper notes said to be Biafran notes to the members of the public and policemen moved to the scene and at Enerhen junction and got the suspect arrested.
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