Several feared killed as soldiers, pro-Biafran activists clash
Tony Okafor, Awka
Several persons including a soldier were allegedly killed on today during a clash between soldiers and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and soldiers clashed in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The clash occurred during the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the defunct Biafra republic. The late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu had declared the Republic of Biafra on May 30, 1966.
The anniversary celebration turned bloody when soldiers of the 312 Artillery Brigade confronted the IPOB members, who had blocked major streets.
It was gathered that the IPOB members had taken to the street as early as 6am, some of them naked to mark the anniversary.
In the process, the pro-Biafra group blocked most major streets in Onitsha at the Niger Bridge head area, causing most people to remain indoors.
Markets in Onitsha were also closed as a result of the anniversary that turned bloody.
An eye witness told our correspondent that “most of the killings were done at Nkpor, a suburb of Onitsha, where IPOB had chosen to celebrate the Biafra Day”.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Alli Okechukwu, confirmed the incident, but declined to give details about the lives lost.
“We are busy clearing the blocked roads in Onitsha, to ensure that normalcy returns. We are not counting the number of casualties at the moment,” he said.
The post Several feared killed as soldiers, pro-Biafran activists clash appeared first on Punch Newspapers.
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