The commercial city of Aba, Abia state literally stood still on Saturday as members of a Pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) marched round the city to honour fallen heroes of the group who laid down their lives during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war.
As early as 8.30am, members of the group numbering over 8,000 had gathered at the precinct of the Christ the King Catholic, CKC, church from where they marched to all parts of the city.
Loading ...They marched through Asa road, Aba-Owerri road, Umule , Ariaria, Port Harcourt road and Ogbor Hill and later returned to the CKC where they took off from.
Motorists and pedestrians had a hectic time passing through the affected areas as traffic moved in a snail manner even as residents of the city trooped out to catch a glimpse of the group.
There was heavy security presence as several police patrol teams guided the march along the major roads while soldiers mounted an Armoured Personnel Carrier at Ehi road by Asa road junction.
Members of the group chanted pro Biafra songs like “ Ikwere na Biafra , Biafra, Biafra; Ikwere na Biafra, welie aka gi elu” meaning “If you believe in Biafra, Biafra, raise your hand up”, with the enthusiastic residents raising their hands up in support and dancing to the rhythm of the song.
A cross section of them who spoke to 247ureports.com including Ikechukwu Mba said that the march was held to honour some of the Biafran freedom fighters who died during the Nigerian-Biafra Civil war.
Mba added that the march was part of the group’s efforts to press their agitation for the actualization of the sovereign state of Biafra
Another member of the group, Francis Kalu told journalists that, “It is more than 100years after Lord Lugard amalgamated the people of Southern and Northern Nigeria. In the treaty, it was agreed that after 100years anyone that felt that they are no longer comfortable with staying in the union has the right to secede and that is what we are doing.”
He added that the Indigenous People of Biafra have been treated well as a people and called on Biafrans to continue the struggle until self determination is achieved.
“What we want is a sovereign state of Biafra and nothing else. We are going to achieve that soon.”
