The bloody faceoff of Sunday August 30, 2015 between the Nigerian troops and the peaceful protesters may have not heard its last cry. This is according to reliable information available to 247ureports.com which indicates that the Nigerian military troops may be on the planning stages of massive takedown of the Onitsha environs following the revelation that one of its officers had been critically shot in the clash.
According to available information, the exchange of gunfire between the federal troops and residents of Onitsha who had joined the Biafra rally procession had resulted in the killing of up to 30 residents of Onitsha and shooting of one female Navy officer. Scores more were injured on both sides.
Already the fear of retributive action has led many residents to begin scampering for safety outside the immediate environs of Onitsha. A major transporter in Onitsha who gave his name as “Sokoto” told our correspondent that he has relocated his family to his home village in the south senatorial district of Anambra – against an anticipated backlash from the shooting of a female Navy officer. “It is going to be like the ‘shoot at sight’ order given by the then Governor Peter Obi to the federal troops to kill our brothers. Many people were killed both the innocent and members of MASSOB. They even raped women and young girls”.
Similar fear was expressed by the head of Ohaneze, Chief Garry Nnachi Igariweh, who told 247ureports.com that “it was a dangerous game to play – we can’t be talking about a country and be talking secession – we have to be careful with the new regime… we are still learning the new regime… we don’t know their ways yet… we don’t want another situation like Udi”. The Ohaneze boss spoke cautiously of the resultant effects of calling for secession. He also added that he was yet to be fully briefed of the incident.
Meanwhile the state security services [SSS] appears unsettled at the tactics applied by the federal government in handling the protesting residents of Onitsha. One of the top operators of the SSS spoke to our correspondent in confidence following the violent shootout that lasted two hours. He indicated that they [SSS] only follow orders “we don’t formulate policies… we shoot when they say shoot… we are not to be blamed.” The SSS operator frowned at the head of state in the manner he has chosen not to use the gathering of intelligence through spying and infiltration of the many secessionist groups as a viable toll – in curtailing the growth of the groups… and in avoiding the need to engage in violent exchanges.
The SSS operator made it clear that the mood within the organizational structure was disgust with the ruling structure. “We should not be made to be losing our lives because of inept policies from or leaders”, he continued that “our families are at risk every day that we go out to the streets”. The security agent was not shy to express that perceived marginalization of the south east geopolitical zones by President Buhari appears to worsen the situation. “It makes it easier for them to rally supporters for the idea of Biafra”.
Thus far, the federal government has remained mute on the bloody altercation.
