Policemen in Enugu on Monday arrested
over 500 persons for allegedly being part of the purported re-declaration
of Biafra as a sovereign state.
The group under the aegis
of Biafra Zionist Movement had converged on an open field in Coal Camp
area of Enugu where the leader, Mr. Ben Onwuka, addressed them.
However, after
Onwuka’s address, policemen led by the Enugu Central Police Station
Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Ike Mba, arrested him and other members of
the group, who displayed Biafran, American and Israeli flags.
The suspects were arraigned
before a court and remanded in police custody afterwards.
Police Public Relations Officer in
Enugu State, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the arrests.
He said, “No fewer than 500 persons
believed to be members of BZM, which is also believed to be a faction of the
Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, have been
arrested by the police.
“The group was led by one Ben Onwuka
and the members were arrested at Akwata, off Agbani Road, Enugu. They were
arrested with 61 Biafran flags, 13 berets, three bands and eight BZM forms.”
While addressing the crowd,
Onwuka said, “It is clear that the security of lives and property
of Biafran people is no longer guaranteed in the entity
called Nigeria.
“Therefore, we have resolved to
re-declare our independence today based on the mandate given to Chukwuemeka
Odumegwu-Ojukwu on May 30, 1967 to provide our people security according
to international law.
“It is clear that our people’s right
to worship, according to our Christian faith, is no longer guaranteed.
Therefore, we Biafra people have resolved to opt out of Nigeria.
“Today, the re-birth of the Republic
of Biafra is finally actualised.
“On the international arena, the
Republic of Biafra would establish and maintain a very pro-Israel international
relations. Biafra would consider an attack on Israel and the Jewish people as
an attack on Biafra.”