Confusion in Onitsha Head Bridge as Soldiers intercept 5 Buses of Biafran members

www.odogwublog.com reports exclusively that five chartered 18-seater buses occupied by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike-led members of the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB were yesterday intercepted by soldiers at a military check-point along Onitsha/Owerri dual carriageway by Azia Junction in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state.

At at the time of filing this report, the MASSOB's National Director of Information, Chris Mocha told newsmen on phone that he did now know where the soldiers took all the occupants of the buses who are their members to.

Mocha added that three of the buses carrying their members who were returning to Anambra and Delta states from Owerri where they had attended their national convention were intercepted first, while two others carrying Biafran veteran soldiers returning from the same Owerri meeting were intercepted in about 30 minutes later.

Mocha noted that he had communicated the ugly situation to the MASSOB leader, Uwazuruike who in turn instructed him to issue a press statement to that effect.

He however stated that in spite of all odds, MASSOB has concluded arrangements to celebrate Biafra day, remembrance of Biafra fallen heroes and the 49th anniversary of the outbreak of the genocidal civil war arising from the declaration of Biafra republic, which claimed lives of millions of Igbo sons and daughters. 

He also called on military authorities to leave their members alone as they were neither armed nor exhibited any act of violence as they were returning to Anambra and parts of Delta states from Owerri where they had attended meeting presided over by Uwazuruike himself.

But before this interception a combined team of police, soldiers and road safety personnel have brought traffic at the bridge along the Onitsha/Asaba Expressway almost to a standstill.
According to eye witnesses who used the bridge connecting Southeastern Nigeria to the rest of the country, the traffic gridlock was being enforced by the security in anticipation of Biafra Memorial rallies expected to hold on May 30.
The rallies are being organised by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other pro-Biafran groups.
A driver plying Asaba to Onitsha told our correspondent that most road users spent about two hours on a journey that normally lasts 30 minutes.
Investigations showed that the soldiers were stopping vehicles to conduct thorough searches. “Any bus that is loaded is stopped and the bags are removed and searched. They have been searching since yesterday. They are also stopping containers carrying imported goods, breaking the keys and conduct searches inside.
They told us they were ordered from above to search all vehicles coming to the Southeast to ensure no weapons are smuggled in because of Biafra Remembrance Day”, our source said. The gridlock also forced the drivers to increase their transport fares. While some took N150, as against the usual N100 it cost to travel from Asaba to Onitsha, some charged as much as N200 and N300. Some of the vehicles had to take a detour and travel through Oko inland to connect the Onitsha head bridge, a hectic journey which was however, faster than waiting on the queue.
When The AUTHORITY on Saturday arrived the head bridge, some of the soldiers were in their tents while others stood around resting. “They are exhausted”, the driver told our correspondent. Pedestrians were also banned from trekking across the bridge.
Speaking on the development, Yahgozie Immanuel, Biafra 24 presenter in London who spoke to our correspondent on the phone stated that pro-Biafrans in the UK were planning a massive rally to honour Biafrans who died in the war.
He said that all groups supporting Biafra will be out on May 30, while he would lead a team of reporters to give it live coverage. “UK is planning heavy, peaceful demonstrations and prayers for our dead. We are also going to continue calling for the release of not just Nnamdi Kanu, but all other agitators that are in detention in Nigeria.”
He however cautioned the military against killing innocent civilians in Nigeria, since they are never violent: “Don’t shoot our people for asking for their rights. Our members are the only nonviolent agitators in this country. Stop shooting at us, and listen to our requests”, Yahgozie stated.