The Ebonyi state police command in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army and Department of State Security, DSS, on Tuesday clamped down on members of the Movement for the Actualisation of sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) who were on a peaceful protest in Ebonyi State.
The protesters were allegedly teargassed, after which were arrested by the police for failure to notify the security institutions in the state before carrying out their protest.
It was gathered that MASSOB members started their peaceful demonstration from Nkaliki road, moving round the major streets of Abakaliki metropolis.
Recall that MASSOB group, had recently announced this event through a news conference and social media channels across the country.
It was also gathered that the peaceful demonstration was to commemorate the declaration of Biafran Republic by its leader, Ralph Uwazuruike.
When contacted, Commander of the Nigerian Military Cantonment in Nkwegu, Col. S. O. Sadiq confirmed the participation of the Army in arrests, adding that all the arrested persons were handed over to the police.
According to Sadiq, MASSOB did not notify security agencies in the state of the event in writing which necessitated the action to stop them by security agencies.
Responding, the Ebonyi Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Asp Loveth Odah also confirmed the incident to DAILY POST but could not give the actual number of persons arrested.
“I don’t have the details of the actual number of persons arrested right now, when I get the full details, I will let you know” she told our reporter.
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