SAN FRANCISCO, May 30, (THEWILL) – The celebration of Biafran Day in memory of Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, by the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), turned sour in many States where it held, on Monday as the military, police, and the agitators clashed resulting in many deaths, injuries and arrests.
ASABA
An orgy of violence erupted in Asaba, Delta State capital, leaving two policemen dead and four others killed as the protest march turned bloody.
THEWILL learnt that two group of agitators, Biafra Independent movement and Movement for Actualization sovereign State of Biafra(BIM-MASSOB) have taken over the River Niger bridgehead linking Onitsha as well as seizing ever-busy Asaba-Onitsha express way causing heavy gridlock on the road, thus prompting the deployment of anti-riot policemen and soldiers to the scene.
Donning red and black attire, the over ten thousand agitators who were mobilized around 5:30am said they were marching to celebrate independence of Biafra state but the street march turned violence as anti-riots policemen tried to disperse them with teargas.
In an ensuing confrontation which broke out around Abraka junction area of Asaba, two policemen were allegedly killed by the agitators who pounced on them, while two other policemen were badly injured.
Four members of the group were also killed in the clash.
Acting Police Public Relations Officer for Delta Stat, SP Charles Muka, who confirmed the incident said that the police recorded two casualties.
He said that five members of MASSOB were killed by military officers who had confrontations with the group along the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba.
According to him, the military arrested and brought eight members of MASOB to the police and “are now in custody in Asaba”.
Muka said that the protesters turned violent and attacked the policemen deployed to monitor the protest, killed two and injured two others.
“The protesters also attacked military vehicles along the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway which left four members of the group dead and eight others arrested and brought to the police headquarters.”
ANAMBRA
Reports indicate that over 30 persons were killed and many injured in the protest in Anambra with over 50 members of the Biafran group arrested by the military and taking to their 302 cantonment in Onitsha.
Following the mayhem, the commercial city of Onitsha especially Nkpor axis, was locked down with the security operatives taking over the roads.
Commercial activities were paralyzed as a result, with vehicular movements stopped with burn fires all over the roads.
IMO
The police announced the arrest of 17 MASSOB members in Imo, for holding a road show in commemoration of 49th anniversary of Biafra.
This was confirmed by Andrew Enwerem, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, saying they would soon be prosecuted.
The march began at Waterside Primary School, Owerri, from where they moved to Rotibi Street to Oguamana Street before linking Douglas Road.
At Douglas Road the marchers met heavily armed security men, who threw teargas at them at Ama JK end of the street and arrested some.
EBONYI
The Police in Ebonyi State arrested some clergymen who were conducting an inter-denominational service for MASSOB.
Reports indicate that policemen numbering over 200 stormed the Nkaliki Primary School, field, Abakaliki, venue for the 2016 Biafran day celebration of the group, midway into the service and arrested the clergymen as well as other members.
This was confirmed by the Zonal Leader of MASSOB in charge of Ebonyi North, John Nwifuru, at a briefing in Abakaliki.
According to him over 320 members of the MASSOB were also arrested by the Command during the Biafra Day celebration and accused the Police of carting away valuables belonging to members of the movement which he said included vehicles, over 93 motorcycles and other items for offertory.
ENUGU
The police in Enugu arrested no fewer than 13 members of MASSOB and the Biafran Independent Movement (BIM).
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ebere Amaraizu, said the people were arrested at Edinburgh axis of Ogui, Enugu, based on intelligence and information gathered on them.
He said items recovered from the suspects included flags with MASSOB inscriptions, t-shirts and caps.
Meanwhile, MASSOB Zonal Leader of Enugu North, James Omeke, has insisted that about 40 of its members were arrested by men of the Nigerian Police in Nsukka on Monday.
Additional Reports From Joe Ogbudu
