Tension in the South-East over Biafra Day

There seems to be tension on some parts of the South-East as May 30, 2018 approaches.

May 30 is the date set aside to mark ‘Biafra Day’.

However, some residents in the South-East are worried that day may not pass without bloodshed that may arise from clashes between pro-Biafran activists and security agencies.

Pro-Biafran groups, including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), called for the sit-at-home protest in order to celebrate the anniversary of the defunct Republic of Biafra on May 30, the date the breakaway state declared independence from Nigeria in 1967.

In 2017, the event was marked with a sit-at-home protest ordered by IPOB, which grounded commercial activities in major cities in the zone, as well as Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, and Asaba, in Delta State.

On the day, MASSOB intends to commemorate the anniversary with lectures and a candlelight procession, while the Biafra Zionists Federation has announced plans to raise the flag of the defunct Republic of Biafra at the Enugu State Government House on that day.

But in a bid to avert a possible breakdown of law and order, troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army have engaged in a ‘massive show of force’ by parading through major cities in the geopolitical zone in a long convoy of military vehicles.

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