MASSOB/IPOB: Tears , anguish in Onitsha as Biafra Anniversary Turns Bloody in Anambra ...45 MASSOB/ IPOB members killed by security

Combined efforts of Security agencies yesterday allegedly killed 45 members of the Movement for  the Actualization of Sovereign state of Biafra and Indigenous  People Of Biafra, IPOB.

One policeman as well reportedly killed in the shootout between MASSOB/IPOB members and members of Nigerian Police.

All the markets in Onitsha and environs were shut despite the state
government order on the eve of the celebration that no market should
be shut.

The clash that occurred in Onitsha, Anambra state, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of a of an independent State of Biafra in 1962 started at Bridge Head as IPOB members troop out en-mass to join their colleagues in the celebration.

It was gathered also that a soldier  attached to the Onitsha 302 Military regiment was stabbed while the Nnewi South Regional administrator of The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Anthony Nwodo and 14 others were arrested by the Joint Security Taskforce at Ezinifite on their way back home after observation of the celebration as revealed by the Area Administrator of the region, Sonny Chukwuebuka,

Two out of the 45 members that died met their untimely death at the
Niger bridge head as they were coming  from Asaba, Delta state capital
with others to join their Anambra counterparts in the celebration.

On getting to the Bridge they met a stiff resistance from the JTF and
it resulted in a bloody clash and consequently a policeman died while
the soldier was stabbed.

Reacting, the IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful said, they killed about 45
of our armless members at Nkpor without any cause. They just opened
fire on us as we are having peaceful procession".

Contributing, Emmanuel Omenka, the Personal Assistance to the MASSOB
leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike said, "no amount of killing of Biafra
agitators will deter us from fighting to actualize a sovereign state of
Biafra".

According to Omenka "the celebration was a success and this shows that
Biafra is strong and firm in its determination"

Also speaking, The Ogbaru Regional administrator, Mrs Virginia
Ubazuonu condenmed the killing and described the celebration as very
successful, adding that there is no going back in actualization of a Biafra Republic.