Biafra supporters defy warning, stage protest in Lagos

Hundreds of supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday defied warnings by the Lagos State Police Command and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to carry out any procession in Lagos.

IPOB members yesterday thronged the Alaba International Market and the International Trade Fair Complex both in Ojo area of the city to protest alleged marginalisation of the Igbo by the federal government, while calling for the unconditional release of the detained Nnamdi Kanu.

The protesters, majority of whom are traders, waved the illegal Biafran flag, displayed placards and chanted solidarity songs such as, “All we are saying, Give us Biafra.”

They had earlier shut down the Alaba International Market in solidarity with the cause of the IPOB and caused a heavy traffic gridlock which lasted more than two hours along the busy market road.

Although policemen were deployed to the area to ensure peace and order, the protesters defied them and disrupted vehicular movement during the protest which continued even after the arrival of the policemen led by an Area Commander.

The policemen who eventually helped to maintain order and control traffic, peacefully monitored the protest until it ended at about 1:20p.m at the entrance of the Electrical Dealers Section of the Alaba International Market.

The President-General of the market, Engineer Chijioke Paul Okenwa, said his members would not support any action that would disrupt the peace they were enjoying. He, however, noted that people were free to hold peaceful protests.