Dozens of suspected pro-Biafra activists were arrested in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital yesterday, as men of the Rivers State Police Command tried to contain a peaceful protest staged by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Business and commercial activities in the state capital and its environs were brought to an abrupt end for several hours following the face-off between the protesters and security agents as commuters were forced to trek long distances to their destinations as a result of the ugly development.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the protesters turned their agitation for sovereign State of Biafra on defenceless residents of Port Harcourt as they smashed vehicles windscreen, pull down Nigerian flags and attacked those who refused to chant their solidarity song in support of Republic State of Biafra.
It was also gathered that the protesting youths who were decked with Biafra insignias had trekked from Aba in Abia State to Port Harcourt through Oyigbo as early as 6.30 am and blocked all the routes leading to Port Harcourt.
An eyewitness said the youths were coming from Oyigbo but were confronted by anti-riot policemen stationed at the popular Eleme junction, pointing out that the police fired several tear gas cannisters on the protesting youths to stop them from entering Port Harcourt but the protesters were defiant as they passed through billows of tear gas cannisters to have their way.
The peaceful protesters, who were demanding for the release of the director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, were later confronted by policemen, who formed barricade with their vehicles at the First Artillery junction along Aba Road in the state capital.
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