Police Open Fire On Biafra Members, 3 Dead In Onitsha

THREE persons were feared dead and about twenty others wounded on Sunday
when members of a new pro- Biafra group, the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB)
and security operatives engaged in a shootout in Onitsha.

It was not clear what caused the trouble, but one of the injured persons, Mr. Chinwendu
Ikechukwu said the group was carrying out an evangelism programme on the need for
people to embrace Biafra Republic in parts of Nkpor , Idemili North local government
area after their routine meeting, adding that it was while they were on the street that
security operatives opened fire on them.
He said: “On reaching Okpoko junction, we were accosted by a detachment of
policemen who fired tear gas on our members numbering about 5000, but they later
allowed us to go since we were non violent.
“However, on reaching Uga junction close to the Niger Bridge Head, the Naval men on
duty there opened fire on us. In our defenseless state, three of our members were shot
dead, while about twenty others sustained injuries. Even the police who initially allowed
us to go later joined in shooting our members.”
According to him, the injured persons were initially rushed to the nearby Paragon
Hospital, Fegge before they were distributed to other hospitals.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Okechukwu Ali however
denied the involvement of police in the shooting, adding that the police were in a ‘Show
of Force’ operation in Onitsha as at the time of the incident.
“We never shot at the group, even though the law of the land has outlawed all pro -
Biafran groups,” he said.
Also, a naval officer who refused to give his name said the group was lying, insisting
that nobody died. According to him, “if they claim that three of their members died,
they should provide their bodies.

(Vanguard)