Biafra Anniversary: Scores Arrested as MASSOB, Police Clash in Enugu

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Monday, May 30th, 2016

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Heavily armed policemen on Monday clashed with members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) during the group’s celebration of Biafra anniversary in Enugu.

The clash occurred when members of MASSOB and BIM were having a peaceful procession on the Biafran anniversary and the restoration of Biafra at Edinburgh round about in Obiagu axis of Enugu, the Enugu state capital.

AFRICAN EXAMINER’s correspondent reports that trouble started when the group were hoisting Biafran flags and displaying placards with different inscriptions such as “Biafra is our last hope”, “No going back on our quest for freedom”, “Biafra or death, “Freedom for our children”, among others.

The policemen arrived the area with four pick-up vans and whisked away the protesters numbering about ten including the zonal Leader of the group, Comrade Eugene Eze.

One of the protesters who craved anonymity while speaking with newsmen, said that they were celebrating the Biafran day in a non-violent way when they were arrested.

He said: “we just gathered here to celebrate the anniversary of Biafra without any fight or arms when we saw the police van coming.

“Immediately, I and some of my friends took to our heels before they approached us and unfortunately, some of them who were still there especially the aged, were all arrested including our zonal leader.

“It’s quite unfortunate and unfair, we were peaceful and didn’t cause any trouble”, he stated.

The Biafran anniversary day celebration which is celebrated globally on the 30th of May every year, comes a day after the federal government celebrated democracy day.