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
Punch’s 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.
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