Despite the death of its leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, some Igbos are not ready to let the Bifran dream die as no fewer that 500 members including the leader of Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) were on Monday arrested in Enugu for allegedly re-declaring the Sovereign State of Biafra.
Dailypost learnt that the group had gathered in an open field in Coal Camp area of Enugu where one of its leaders, Mr. Ben Onwuka reportedly addressed them.
Shortly after Onwuka’s speech, policemen led by the Enugu Central Police Station Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Ike Mba stormed the area and arrested him and other members of the group, who were seen displaying Biafran, American and Israeli flags and singing freedom songs.
It was gathered that Onwuka and his team were arraigned before a court and remanded in police custody afterwards.
Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the arrests said over 500 persons had since been arrested
His words, “No fewer than 500 persons believed to be members of BZM, which is also believed to be a faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, have been arrested by the police.
“The group was led by one Ben Onwuka and the members were arrested at Akwata, off Agbani Road, Enugu. They were arrested with 61 Biafran flags, 13 berets, three bands and eight BZM forms.”
While addressing the crowd, Onwuka earlier in his address, told his group that: “It is clear that the security of lives and property of Biafran people is no longer guaranteed in the entity called Nigeria.
“Therefore, we have resolved to re-declare our independence today based on the mandate given to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu on May 30, 1967 to provide our people security according to international law.
“It is clear that our people’s right to worship, according to our Christian faith, is no longer guaranteed. Therefore, we Biafra people have resolved to opt out of Nigeria.
“Today, the re-birth of the Republic of Biafra is finally actualised.
“On the international arena, the Republic of Biafra would establish and maintain a very pro-Israel international relations. Biafra would consider an attack on Israel and the Jewish people as an attack on Biafra,” he added.
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