Pro-Biafra protests ground Lagos, Abia markets

The train of the Independent Peoples of Biafra protesters has finally landed in Alaba International market, Ojo, Lagos State.
This was as thousands of youths carrying Biafran flags and wearing its T-shirts stormed the market on Wednesday afternoon.
It was learnt that the protesters demanded that traders should shut down the market on Thursday and join them in the protest.
According to one of the protesters: “We are protesting the continued detention of (the Director of Radio Biafra, Daniel) Kanu by the Department of State Services in Abuja.
“The treacherous DSS is holding him against court orders.
“The protests will continue until the Buhari regime does the needful.”
The protesters grounded vehicular and commercial activities at the Alaba International Market in the mega rally.
Thousands of protesters blocked roads and caused traffic jam on the ever busy routes to the market, shouting solidarity songs and bearing placards in support of Kanu.
IPOB had earlier disclosed in a statement that it would hold its rally along the Alaba International Market axis, as well as visit several embassies and High Commissions, the Amnesty International and UN offices on Victoria Island and Ikoyi axis of Lagos to deliver protest letters.
Armed policemen were at the scene of the protest to ensure there was no break-down of law and order.
In Aba, Abia State, the pro- Biafra protesters embarked on a protest march, grounding economic activities in the city.
Speaking to journalists, the leader of IPOB, Anayochukwu Opara, said the protest would continue on Thursday if Kanu was not released by the Federal Government and vowed that no force is capable of stopping them.
The protest, which saw the group march through major streets of Aba, caused heavy traffic as motorists moved at snail speed.
Some of the protesters adorned pro-Biafra emblems and Kanu’s portraits, singing anti- Nigerian government songs, including: “Nigeria is for Sale.”
Others were seen selling Biafra emblems for a fee.
Unlike past pro -Biafra protests in the city, markets and business centres were opened as residents went about their normal duties unmolested.
A cross section of the protesters, who spoke to Vanguard, urged the Federal Government to release Kanu and grant an independent state of Biafra, stressing that there will be no peace in Nigeria until Biafra is actualized.
One of them said: “The Federal Government cannot be detaining our Director, Nnamdi Kanu, for over two months now and expect us to clap for them.
“We have warned them enough to release our Director and give us Biafra. We have no faith in Nigeria. We will embark on another protest with a different strategy if our Director is not released.”
Vanguard.