Ahead of the Sit-At-Home order by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), not less than 57 members of a pro-Biafra group, the Benjamin Onwuka-led Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF), have been arrested by the police in Enugu State.
Daily Trust gathered that the pro-Biafra agitators were arrested on Sunday morning shortly before the commencement of their Memorial Day parade.
Onwuka, a lawyer and leader of the group, claimed that policemen from Ogui Division arrived the venue of their meeting at Owerri Road in Enugu North Local Government Area within the Enugu metropolis and took away the suspects.
But the police later said the men were released unconditionally after being interrogated and nothing incriminating found on them.
The statement issued on Sunday by the police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, reads: “The attention of the Command has been drawn to a publication alleging that “Police reportedly arrest 57 Biafra Zionists members in Enugu”
“There was no such arrest. Rather, 54 persons were seen to be unlawfully gathered at Owerri Road, Ogui, Enugu and were brought to Headquarters for questioning.
“After nothing incriminating was found on them, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, addressed and cautioned them to go home and maintain peace. They all left happily, please”
However, Onwuka, in a message sent out to newsmen on Sunday, claimed: “They arrested 57 of our members this morning. We were preparing to go for our Biafra parade. We are non-violent people, we are peaceful agitators. They should be released immediately, unconditionally, without charge, they committed no crime.
“We have informed the United States of this development.”
Onwuka had few days ago announced that his men would storm the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, on Sunday, for a parade.
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