Read how One person dies in pro-Biafran rally amid confusion as to if it was by the police or vigilantes
AT least one person lost his life yesterday in
the Anambra commercial city of Onitsha as
pro-Biafran separatists clashed with police
and vigilante groups as they held protests
calling for the immediate release of Radio
Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu.
Last month, Mr Kanu, the director of Radio
Biafra was arrested by security men after
arriving in Lagos from the UK from where he
runs his pirate radio station, which calls for
the break-up of Nigeria. His arrested has
sparked a series of protests by Igbo-speaking
Biafran supporters who held solidarity rallies
across Nigeria demanding his unconditional
release.
Among the major rallies that took place was a
big one in Onitsha, the commercial heartland
of Igboland called by the Indigenous People of
Biafra (Ipob). As a result of the protest,
commercial and social activities were
disrupted in Onitsha and the neighbouring city
of Asaba in Delta State.
Police warned against violence, vowing to
resist violence by the agitators, who they said
planned to embark on ill-advised protests
using dangerous weapon across some
southeastern states. Although, the
circumstances of the death of the victim were
not immediately clear, it is believe the man
was shot by the police.
Philip Ezekiel, the Onitsha Police Area
commander said that the police were not
responsible for the man’s death as there was
no clash whatsoever between the protesters
and the police anywhere in the state. Another
source said the man was killed by members
of a vigilance group and three persons were
allegedly injured.
Ahead of the match, thousands of Ipob
supporters had gathered round the Emeka
Odumegwu-Ojukwu Statue by the River Niger
bridgehead chanting and dancing pro-Ojukwu
and Biafran songs. From that spot they
marched to the Upper Iweka Flyover
denouncing then federal government, police
and the army in their songs.
They also asked for the immediate release of
Mr Kanu and other Biafran activists from
custody. Many of the protesters wore no
shirts and adorned their heads and left arms
with palm fronds while chanting solidarity
songs.
AT least one person lost his life yesterday in
the Anambra commercial city of Onitsha as
pro-Biafran separatists clashed with police
and vigilante groups as they held protests
calling for the immediate release of Radio
Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu.
Last month, Mr Kanu, the director of Radio
Biafra was arrested by security men after
arriving in Lagos from the UK from where he
runs his pirate radio station, which calls for
the break-up of Nigeria. His arrested has
sparked a series of protests by Igbo-speaking
Biafran supporters who held solidarity rallies
across Nigeria demanding his unconditional
release.
Among the major rallies that took place was a
big one in Onitsha, the commercial heartland
of Igboland called by the Indigenous People of
Biafra (Ipob). As a result of the protest,
commercial and social activities were
disrupted in Onitsha and the neighbouring city
of Asaba in Delta State.
Police warned against violence, vowing to
resist violence by the agitators, who they said
planned to embark on ill-advised protests
using dangerous weapon across some
southeastern states. Although, the
circumstances of the death of the victim were
not immediately clear, it is believe the man
was shot by the police.
Philip Ezekiel, the Onitsha Police Area
commander said that the police were not
responsible for the man’s death as there was
no clash whatsoever between the protesters
and the police anywhere in the state. Another
source said the man was killed by members
of a vigilance group and three persons were
allegedly injured.
Ahead of the match, thousands of Ipob
supporters had gathered round the Emeka
Odumegwu-Ojukwu Statue by the River Niger
bridgehead chanting and dancing pro-Ojukwu
and Biafran songs. From that spot they
marched to the Upper Iweka Flyover
denouncing then federal government, police
and the army in their songs.
They also asked for the immediate release of
Mr Kanu and other Biafran activists from
custody. Many of the protesters wore no
shirts and adorned their heads and left arms
with palm fronds while chanting solidarity
songs.
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