Over the last week, pro-Biafran protesters have been marching and organising rallies calling for the recreation of the defunct republic that existed briefly between 1967 and 1970. Their cause has been given a new lease of life by the recent arrest of Radio Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu who was apprehended buy security men in Lagos.
Operating an illegal radio station out of London, which is only available online, Mr Kanu was picked up during a recent visit to Nigeria. His supporters have demanded his unconditional release but protests calling for his freedom have led to calls for secession of Biafran separatists have hijacked the cause.
Across large swathes of southeast Nigeria, demonstrations have taken place over the last week and Asaba, an Igbo-speaking city in Delta State was the scene of one such rally. Although Delta is not an Igbo State and its population do not support Biafra, the large Igbo presence in Asaba meant that there was a good turnout at the demonstration.
Police authorities in Asaba had warned the protesters not to march in the city but they defied it and turned out in their thousands. As a result, Asaba was brought to a standstill with no vehicular movement taking place, thus prompting the police to apprehend several young men who were harassing motorists.
According to the police in Asaba, the arrests were made to forestall a total breakdown of law and order in Delta State. It is expected that the men will be arraigned before a court this week and made to answer public order charges.
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