Businesses were crippled, demonstrators were allegedly shot and tear-gassed, as thousands of pro-Biafra agitators stormed Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, for the second time in 20 days. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as the protesters call themselves, demand the Nigerian government release their ‘leader’ Nnamdi Kanu who is being held by the state secret service probably for treason.
The protesters also said their demonstration will not end till they are allowed to secede from Nigeria and form their own state of Biafra. Rivers State police spokesperson Ahmad Muhammad said the protesters came into Port Harcourt from neighbouring Abia State via Aba expressway on Monday night.
Eyewitnesses told Newsroom the agitators were spotted on Aba Road as early as 6:30 a.m. The protest was peaceful until they came up against a police blockade comprising at least 200 armed security officers drawn from the Nigerian Army, the police force, and other security units. Pandemonium ensued as both parties ‘clashed’ at Artillery Junction on Aba Road.
The security men fired live bullets and teargas at the protesters, many of the agitators alleged. At least two people were reported to have been hit by police bullets, they claimed. Other reports say three people were shot dead.
These were debunked by the police. The police said whatever injury anyone sustained was due to the stampede that ensued when the protesters came up against the security blockade.
But protesters insisted the stampede started after police opened fire on the agitators. ‘I can confirm to you that no life was lost,’ Muhammad told Newsroom hours after the crowd dispersed on Tuesday evening. While the protest lasted, residents said they saw Biafra agitators hurl stones at banks forcing them to temporarily shut down.
The protesters also allegedly took down Nigerian flags mounted on poles in front of banks.
They reportedly did the same thing when they protested in Port Harcourt on October 20. ‘They burned the flags,’ a Port Harcourt resident who does not want to be identified told Newsroom. ‘I know three banks in Rumuokoro area shut their doors while the protest was going on,’ she said. The protesters attempted marching to the State Government’s house but were barred by armed security personnel. Rivers State governor Nyesome Wike later denounced the movement and banned all ‘unauthorised protests.’
In far away Minna, Niger State, fresh graduates undergoing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme called Newsroom to express fears they could be attacked. ‘We heard the protesters attacked Hausas, and are afraid for our lives here,’ one of them said....
‘My mother just called from Port Harcourt and told us to be very careful,’ she said. Pro-Biafra agitators had warned before now ‘no living thing will remain in Nigeria’ if they are not granted independence by December, 2015.
Kanu, their ‘leader,’ ran into trouble with the Nigerian government after using his propaganda-laden Biafra Radio to call for ‘peaceful secession or war in this zoo called Nigeria.’ He allegedly disseminated hate messages from the UK-based radio station and was arrested after entering Nigeria to ‘lead from the front.’ Although a Nigerian court granted Kanu bail, and the conditions of such have been met; the President Muhammadu Buhari led government has refused to release Kanu.
Legal experts say Kanu’s detention is not necessarily unconstitutional as the government could indefinitely detain anyone being investigated for treason. A viral online video appeared to show Kanu soliciting for funds for ‘guns and bullets’ at 2015 conference of Igbo people.
The Nigerian government could capitalise on that to hold Kanu for as long as it wants, legal and security experts say. Activists, however, urge the government to tow the path of caution and dialogue with pro-Biafra agitators before things get messier. They say the agitation was expected as Nigeria has failed to live up to the expectation of her people with Igbos (Biafra agitators are predominantly Igbos) feeling particularly marginalised....
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 12-11-2015 09:47 PM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Freelancers at 12-11-2015 11:37 PM (8 years ago) (f)
When has it become a crime for expressing oneself? They said the Ibos are this and that, why don't you let them go so that they can be all that to themselves? What's the point keeping them hostage in the so-called Nigeria?
Posted: at 12-11-2015 11:37 PM (8 years ago) | Newbie
chisparlis at 12-11-2015 11:45 PM (8 years ago) (m)
Quote from: morgrawl231 on 12-11-2015 10:18 PM
This biafra people are playing with fire...dem dey draw devil Bosom oo....be warned!
WHICH FIRE ARE ONE OF THE DUMBEST USELESS ANIMALS LIVING IN THE ZOO, FOR YOUR INFORMATION READ YOUR NEWS AND UNDERSTAND THAT INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES SUPPORT BIAFRA TO GO , BESIDE THAT IF YOUR FIRE MEANS BY NIGERIA TAKING LAW INTO YOUR HANDS, MY FRIEND OPEN YOUR EYES, IF NIGERIA TRIES THAT THEY HAVE PROVE THE WORLD WHAT THEY WANT TO KNOW, SO TELL YOUR NIGERIA BOKO HARAM, OR SOLDERS NOT TO TRY ANY SILLY BEHAVIOR BY KILLING ANY OF THIS BIAFRANS
Posted: at 12-11-2015 11:45 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming
DJSNIPPER at 13-11-2015 12:01 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Quote from: okuboye on 12-11-2015 10:25 PM
Foolishness [/
call us any name you like. democracy said give the people what they want. they want Biafra. the only thing we can't let go are things we love some much or we depend some much on, which is biafra to Nigeria?. Self determination is not a crime. injustice can't hold for too long. igbo are fool, jobless,stupid, corrupt people etc still you can't let them form their own nation. is that how Nigeria love evil. nobody want to speak the truth, why will Government use force, injured and killed people who protest. to protest is it a crime. our leaders should understand they are the minority. we don't fear them rather they should fear the people. yes our country own us, education, fundamental human right, security, food security,accountability of our resources and tax funds. which they have failed us. It is part of our social contact theory. the name Biafra fear only evil men, they can't stop Biafra. Biafra our hope
Posted: at 13-11-2015 12:01 AM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
dickieponga at 13-11-2015 01:01 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Quote from: Anny01 on 12-11-2015 10:17 PM
Why all this killings by the security men? Is a peaceful protest now a crime in Nigeria?
Wat is so peaceful about d protest, abeg make dem kill all of dem... If u don't like naija pls move out and can d last person pls switch off d lights....
Posted: at 13-11-2015 01:01 AM (8 years ago) | Hero
dickieponga at 13-11-2015 01:05 AM (8 years ago) (m)
"‘My mother just called from Port Harcourt and told us to be very careful,’ she said. Pro-Biafra agitators had warned before now ‘no living thing will remain in Nigeria’ if they are not granted independence by December, 2015. "
I think u better start moving out now cos u won't be granted dat biafra state and we have a place in d middle of d desert for u mo'fkers to settle down. Who una tink say una be...Stupid c**ts...
Posted: at 13-11-2015 01:05 AM (8 years ago) | Hero
dickieponga at 13-11-2015 01:08 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Quote from: chisparlis on 12-11-2015 11:45 PM
WHICH FIRE ARE ONE OF THE DUMBEST USELESS ANIMALS LIVING IN THE ZOO, FOR YOUR INFORMATION READ YOUR NEWS AND UNDERSTAND THAT INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES SUPPORT BIAFRA TO GO , BESIDE THAT IF YOUR FIRE MEANS BY NIGERIA TAKING LAW INTO YOUR HANDS, MY FRIEND OPEN YOUR EYES, IF NIGERIA TRIES THAT THEY HAVE PROVE THE WORLD WHAT THEY WANT TO KNOW, SO TELL YOUR NIGERIA BOKO HARAM, OR SOLDERS NOT TO TRY ANY SILLY BEHAVIOR BY KILLING ANY OF THIS BIAFRANS
Eeerrrrmmm which international countries, could u pls list d countries dat support biafra...? For Australia wen dem ask for passport and ID why dem run away....
Posted: at 13-11-2015 01:08 AM (8 years ago) | Hero
dickieponga at 13-11-2015 01:11 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Dey are all cowards even Ojukwu was a coward...Why im run wen im lose war...? A hero will always stand and fight to d last even if it means dem take im life e.g William Wallace...
Posted: at 13-11-2015 01:11 AM (8 years ago) | Hero
gogoman
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