Police arrest 20 Uwazuruike’s BIM members in Enugu

Biafra protesters insist on presence in S’East, S’South
No fewer than 20 members of Ralph Uwazuruike’s group of the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) were yesterday arrested in Enugu during their rally to mark the Biafra Day celebration.

Members of the group had vowed to hoist Biafra flags in the Southeast yesterday after their procession to mark the day.

The police confirmed the arrest, and cautioned that they would not allow any individuals or groups of persons to breach peace in the state.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police, Ebere Amaraizu, said contrary to allegations that the command arrested 30 pro-Biafra agitators, only 15 were arrested in the state.

The Army, Police and other security agencies increased their air surveillance in the state yesterday as police and military jet fighters hovered around the air.

The 82 Army Division, Enugu, confirmed that the exercise was to avoid a breach of law and order.

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) protested in Ikom, Cross River State, insisting on the presence of Biafran government in the South-South and Southeast regions.

Hundreds of its members from Ogoja, Obubra, Calabar and Ugep converged on Ikom for a peaceful rally.

The rally was to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the declaration of Biafra by Uwazuruike and MASSOB Zonal Leader, Samuel Okah.

The group said with the establishment of Biafran government in the zones, there was nothing anyone could do to stop an independent state of Biafra.

“We can be good neighbours with Nigeria, learn and lend to each other as partners through peaceful means and not through violence,” the group said.

When contacted, PPRO of the Cross River State Police Command, Irene Ugbo, said she was yet to receive any such report from the area and declined further comments on the matter.