Lockdown In Onitsha As Pro-Biafra Protesters Make Demands

Updated December 1, 2015

 
Some pro-Biafra protesters, seeking the actualisation of Biafra nation, have blocked the Onitsha-Owerri expressway in eastern Nigeria, truncating business activities in one of the nation’s major commercial cities, Onitsha.

According to an eyewitness, the protesters, who were agitating for the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, have shown no sign of ending the siege which had lasted for more than six hours, leaving commuters and motorists stranded.
Mr Kanu is standing trial on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, intimidation and belonging to an unlawful society which he has pleaded not guilty to.
His trial on Tuesday was stalled due to the absence of the judge.


We Are Not Happy
Though soldiers are reported to be at the scene of the protest, they have allegedly made no attempt to disperse the crowd, saying that their presence is merely to ensure the protest does not degenerate to violence.
One of the protesters told Channels Television that they would not leave the road.
“As you can see, people are gathered.
“We are not happy and we are determined to stay here for more than three days until they release our director, Nnamdi Kanu, the person the DSS is holding hostage.
“They have to release him, if they don’t, we will not leave this place,” the protester said.
While they protest, commuters lament the man-hour wasted, as some said they had been in a particular spot for more than six hours.
Security agencies had issued warnings to the protesters, urging them to end the protest or face the full wrath of the law.
Despite these warnings the group has continued to hold protests in different cities in the South-east and south-south.