Posted by By Austin Ogwuda on
MEMBERS of the Movement For the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) caught security agencies napping as they stormed Asaba, Delta State capital and attempted to hoist the Biafran flag in the city to actually make good their threat to carry out the action which was earlier planned for August 26.
ASABA - MEMBERS of the Movement For the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) caught security agencies napping as they stormed Asaba, Delta State capital and attempted to hoist the Biafran flag in the city to actually make good their threat to carry out the action which was earlier planned for August 26.
Members of the group numbering about 25 arrived the town in the early hours of yesterday from the neighbouring Anambra State and marched through the streets as they demanded for a Republic of Biafra chanting war songs.
Ten of them were however rounded up by the police along Nnebisi Road while attempting to hoist the Biafran flag.
The surprise arrival of the Biafran activists jolted Asaba residents including the security agents as they thought their proposed threat had been laid to rest.
Different types of placards were displayed by the protesters, some of which read, "No shaking Biafra; Nigeria leave Biafra land; let Biafra come; Enough of marginalization", "Nigeria pack and go; bye bye Nigeria; we welcome you Biafra."
Although they did not molest residents during the demonistration that lasted for about three hours, some shops particularly those located on Nnebisi Road where they concentrated on, were temporarily locked up, ostensibly to avoid looting by miscreants.
Also, the same security alert prompted security operatives to lock the two entrance gates leading to the Government House. As a result, members of the public were not allowed in until it was later re-opened when the dust had been settled, following the arrest of some of the culprits.
The arrested suspects were later taken to the state Police Command's headquarters on Okpanam road where they were paraded before newsmen.
Speaking to newsmen, the state Police Command's spokes person, Miss Okuwobi Olabisi "this (yesterday) morning, we received report that some men were rioting in town along Nnebisi Road only for police to be deployed to find out to discover that people were not rioting but MASSOB were carrying placards telling Nigerians to leave Biafra alone, there were 25 of them."
She added that the suspects would be charged to court today (Thursday), warning that "we (police) will not allow such subversive elements in Delta State. They should not take the hospitality of Delta for granted."
Both the Asaba community and the Delta State Police Command had warned the MASSOB members to steer clear of Asaba when they issued a sit-at-home order on August 26, this year.