31 feared dead, as Pro-Biafran activists and security agents clash in Onitsha.

No fewer than 30 persons and a soldier were allegedly killed on Monday in Onitsha, the Anambra State capital, after some pro-Biafran protesters, said to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the defunct Biafra republic, engaged soldiers and policemen in a bloody clash.

Leaders of the protesters did not, however, produce the corpses of those said to have been killed by security operatives, but one of our correspondents saw two corpses in Onitsha on Monday.

The late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, declared the secession of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria on May 30, 1966.

The anniversary of the declaration, however, turned bloody when members of the Indigenous People of Biafra reportedly clashed with security agencies in Onitsha .



On the other hand, The PUNCH gathered that the Joint Security Taskforce arrested the Nnewi South Regional Administrator of MASSOB, Anthony Nwodo.

“Nwodo and 14 others were arrested at the Ezinifite area in the state on their way back home after the observation of the celebration,” an IPOB Leader, Mr. Sunny Chukwuebuka, said on Monday.

IPOB spokesperson, Mr. Emma Powerful, said, “They killed about 25 of our armless members at Nkpor without any cause. They just opened fire on us as we were having a peaceful procession.

“As I speak to you, and from the statistics we have on the ground, 22 of our members were also killed in other parts of the state, just like that.”

According to him, two out of the IPOB members that died met their sudden death at the Niger Bridge head.

“They were coming from Asaba, the Delta State capital, with others to join their Anambra counterparts in the celebration. On getting to the bridge, they met a stiff resistance from the JST and it resulted in a bloody clash and consequently a policeman died while a soldier was stabbed,” he added.

A source in the Press Unit of the Government House said the Governor, Mr. Willie Obiano, had “convened an urgent security meeting to seek ways to curb the crisis before it escalates.” We will issue a statement as soon as we get a directive to do so.”

However, Mr. Emmanuel Omenka, the Personal Assistant to the MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, said, “No amount of killing of Biafra agitators will deter us from fighting to actualise a sovereign state of Biafra.”

The pro-Biafran protesters also took to the street in Port Harcourt, Enugu, Owerri and Calabar.

While some residents claimed that IPOB collaborated with MASSOB on the protests, the MASSOB leadership in Anambra State distanced itself from the clash.

MASSOB leader, Mr. Uchenna Madu, said in a telephone interview that the organisation was not involved in the protest.

Madu explained that he had earlier issued a statement that this year’s Biafra Day should be celebrated quietly and that all MASSOB members should stay at home.

He, however, condemned the use of firearms against the protesters.

It was gathered that as early as 6am, members of the IPOB protested on the streets, some of them naked.

The pro-Biafran group blocked major streets in Onitsha at the Niger Bridge Head area, forcing most residents to remain indoors.

Markets in Onitsha were also closed as a result of the anniversary that turned bloody.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Alli Okechukwu, confirmed the clash, but declined comments on the number of casualties.


-Punch