Biafra Memorial: Security agents ground traffic at Onitsha/Asaba Bridge

 28/05/2016 

 A combined team of police, soldiers and road safety personnel have brought traffic at the bridge along the Onitsha/Asaba Expressway almost to a standstill.

According to eye witnesses who used the bridge connecting Southeastern Nigeria to the rest of the country, the traffic gridlock was being enforced by the security in anticipation of Biafra Memorial rallies expected to hold on May 30.

The rallies are being organised by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other pro-Biafran groups.

A driver plying Asaba to Onitsha told our correspondent that most road users spent about two hours on a journey that normally lasts 30 minutes.

Investigations showed that the soldiers were stopping vehicles to conduct thorough searches. “Any bus that is loaded is stopped and the bags are removed and searched. They have been searching since yesterday. They are also stopping containers carrying imported goods, breaking the keys and conduct searches inside.

They told us they were ordered from above to search all vehicles coming to the Southeast to ensure no weapons are smuggled in because of Biafra Remembrance Day”, our source said. The gridlock also forced the drivers to increase their transport fares. While some took N150, as against the usual N100 it cost to travel from Asaba to Onitsha, some charged as much as N200 and N300. Some of the vehicles had to take a detour and travel through Oko inland to connect the Onitsha head bridge, a hectic journey which was however, faster than waiting on the queue.

When The AUTHORITY on Saturday arrived the head bridge, some of the soldiers were in their tents while others stood around resting. “They are exhausted”, the driver told our correspondent. Pedestrians were also banned from trekking across the bridge.

Speaking on the development, Yahgozie Immanuel, Biafra 24 presenter in London who spoke to our correspondent on the phone stated that pro-Biafrans in the UK were planning a massive rally to honour Biafrans who died in the war.

He said that all groups supporting Biafra will be out on May 30, while he would lead a team of reporters to give it live coverage. “UK is planning heavy, peaceful demonstrations and prayers for our dead. We are also going to continue calling for the release of not just Nnamdi Kanu, but all other agitators that are in detention in Nigeria.”

He however cautioned the military against killing innocent civilians in Nigeria, since they are never violent: “Don’t shoot our people for asking for their rights. Our members are the only nonviolent agitators in this country. Stop shooting at us, and listen to our requests”, Yahgozie stated.