POLICE ARREST 500 AS GROUP DECLARES BIAFRA REPUBLIC

The group under the aegis of Biafra Zionist Movement that decleared Biafra Republic

PolicMen 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.'