Onitsha On Fire!: Pro Biafra Protests Turn Deadly.

Onitsha, the Southeast’s commercial engine-room, is boiling, as pro-Biafra protest turned bloody.

It is the second day of the planned three-day blockade of the Onitsha Head Bridge – the gateway to the East from the Western part of the country.

A pro-Biafran protester was allegedly killed by the Nigerian Navy personnel deployed to the place of the ongoing unrest, contributing to the chain of killings as the protests are gathering pace. The victim was identified by Mr Esomnofu as Nkiruka Anthonia Ikeanyionwu, a 21-year old student of the Fedral College of Education UMUNZE from Adazi-Nnukwu, Anambra state.

The protests have been raging in Southeast capitals and Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, in the last few weeks.

The call has been for the release of detained leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) who is also the coordinator of underground Biafra Radio.Kanu, who is based abroad, was arrested on arrival in the country in October.

He has been charged to court in Abuja by the Directorate of State Services (DSS).No fewer than 11 persons, including two policemen, were killed during the fracas that followed a clash between the protesters and the Joint Task Force (JTF).

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano called for calm in a broadcast as the situation degenerated into a near total breakdown of law and order in Anambra’s biggest city.

The governor warned mischief makers to steer clear of the state.

The clash began as the JTF men moved to dismantle the barricade put on the Onitsha Head Bridge.The blockage of the bridge on both side Onitsha and Asaba ends started on Tuesday and stalled inter-state travels, crippling economic activities. They also made bonfires on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.

The encounter left about nine people dead, five at the Niger Bridge Head, three at Obodoukwu Road, and a hawker who was said to have been hit by a stray bullet. He died instantly.

Miscreants, on hearing that some people had been shot dead, marched on the Central Mosque near Onitsha Main Market and set it ablaze. A Hilux van with Federal Government number was also burnt.

It was like a war situation, with sporadic shootings and people scampering for safety.All markets in Onitsha were shut down, traders took to their heels.

It was alleged that the killings of the IPOB members got members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to join forces with their colleagues to repel the JTF.

Commercial motorcyclists banned on the highways by the state government made brisk business and had a field day. Motocycles were the only means of coming in and out of Onitsha.

IPOB National Coordinator Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe alleged that five of its members were killed; 18 were injured.He said, he learnt that more people had been killed in the sporadic shooting.

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