ONITSHA PROTEST: Obiano finally reacts

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has finally reacted to the outcome of Wednesday’s protest by pro-Biafra groups, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state, which reportedly led to the death of 9 civilians, two police sergeants and eight others injured.
Scene of Onitsha protest

Scene of Onitsha protest

The clash between protesters and security operatives on the Onitsha Head Bridge, also reportedly led to the burning down of the Onitsha Central Mosque and at least six Dangote trucks.

Bothered by this, Governor Obiano today, appealed to the various groups of agitators protesting for the release of the founder of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, to maintain the peace in the state.

Obiano in a special address, said that he wouldn’t stand by and watch what had looked like a peaceful procession get out of hand.

“As your Governor and the Chief Security Officer of the state, I am compelled to act to avert any likely breakdown of law and order. In all situations, the preservation of human life comes first and I am determined to enforce that,” Governor Obiano declared.

He advised the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other aggrieved groups and individuals to “resist any attempt by hoodlums to take advantage of the situation and destabilize any part of Anambra State.”

The governor further warned all mischief makers who might want to take advantage of the peaceful demonstration to foment trouble to “keep off as we will not tolerate any breach of peace under any guise or pretence.”

He assured residents and visitors to the state that he was in touch with all the security agencies in the state and had their assurances that mischief makers would not be allowed to take advantage of the situation.

“I therefore wish to assure Ndi Anambra and all visitors to the state to go about their normal business peacefully as the security agencies are on top of the situation to preserve law and order,” he said.

BreakingNews: Fight Breaks Out In Onitsha Head-Bridge Between Hausas & Igbos

Information reaching us  from Onitsha, Anambra indicate that a riot has broken out between the Hausa traders staged at the head bridge in Onitsha and the Igbo residents.

Unofficial State Security Services [SSS] report have it that 4 persons have been killed in the fight.

According to available information, the fight started at 1:30pm following a misunderstanding between the police stationed at the head bridge and one of the commercial bus drivers operating at the head bridge. The police was said to have been hitting the driver’s bus with his AK47 riffle – and it then got stuck in the bus. As the police officer struggled to retrieve his riffle, the driver of the bus pulled away with his vehicle dragging the police officer in the process. The police officer’s partner, upon sighting his partner being dragged, fired his riffle and shot the driver dead  instantly.

The officers were northerners and the driver was an Igbo man.

The bridge head area immediately, turned deadly. The Igbo drivers and traders became angry and began attacking the police stations within the environs. They also targeted their anger at the Hausa traders trading at “Abatoir” – stating that since the Hausa peple have been killing the south easterners in north – that they remained calm – but today they are seeking revenge.

According to an SSS officer staged in Onitsha, the military and the police has reacted to dispatch anti-riot squad to the head bridge area to stop the riot. The SSS added however that as at 2:30pm that the security men have not been able to stop the rioting.

stay tuned