Dozens of suspected pro-Biafra activists were arrested in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital yesterday, as men of the Rivers State Police Command tried to contain a peaceful protest staged by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
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Governor Nyesom Wike stated this amid the disruptive activities in Port Harcourt by unauthorized groups.
The police intercepted them between the Rumukrushi and 1st Artillery junction areas of the town. There is confusion everywhere with teargas canisters and guns fired to scare the people.
They also said the protesters ought to have complied with the procedure for protests to avoid clash with security agents. Please nobody should dare come near Aba Port Harcourt/Expressway or Okporo road.
According to witnesses in Port Harcourt where there is an ongoing protest, a few of the protesters carry banners and placards with inscriptions such as: “we demand the unconditional and immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafrans in various prisons around Nigeria”.
“No individual or group has the right, whatsoever, to disturb public peace and order, threaten the safety of the public and create fear and an atmosphere of insecurity in the State or any part thereof”.
The pro-Biafra supporters defiled this morning rain, besieged Port Harcourt city with a crowd from Aba, Abia state coupled with the crusaders of the secessionist group in Rivers state.
A majority of these individuals were from neighbouring States and in the course of these protests, disrupted social and economic activities, he said.
Wike who was angry over the protest by members of the IPOB warned that such demonstrations will no longer be tolerated by his administration.
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The Rivers State Government said it “believes in one indivisible Nigeria”.
