Pro-Biafra protesters ‘ground’ Port Harcourt

Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) interrupted activities in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers state, for several hours on Tuesday.

The group, which has been staging series of protest in demand for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, director of London-based Radio Biafra, took over the streets of the garden city.

Some rode on motorcycles, while others walked, They were chanting anti-government songs and flying Biafra flags.

The police intercepted them between the Rumukrushi and 1st Artillery junction areas of the town.

Ahmad Muhammad, spokesman of the Rivers state police command, said the protesters came into the state on Monday night through Aba.

According to him, they spent the night at Oyigbo and commenced the protest from there before moving into Port Harcourt.

The police had to use teargas canisters to disperse the demonstrators, resulting into stampede.

Some of the protesters, who later converged on a spot in the area, alleged that the police some of them with live ammunition.

Samuel Elijah, 25, explained that the reason for the demonstration was to make the federal government to release Kanu.

Some residents of Aba Road, who were forced to shut their homes and businesses, decried the development, saying it was ill-timed and unnecessary.

They also said the protesters ought to have complied with the procedure for protests to avoid clash with security agents.

Muhammad refused to comment on whether live ammunition were used on the protesters and did not also confirm if arrests had been made.