http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3312166/Shots-teargas-fired-pro-Biafra-protesters-Nigeria.html


Shots, teargas fired at pro-Biafra demo in Nigeria
By AFP


PUBLISHED: 17:16, 10 November 2015 | UPDATED: 17:17, 10 November 2015



Police in Nigeria's oil hub of Port Harcourt on Tuesday fired shots and teargas to disperse hundreds of pro-Biafra supporters as they marched for the release of a key activist, residents said.

Shots were fired into the air to scare away the protesters in the southern city, while air force helicopters were deployed for surveillance, they added.

The police spokesman for Rivers state, of which Port Harcourt is the capital, confirmed the protest but denied shooting or using teargas.

Port Harcourt refinery in Nigeria's Rivers State
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Port Harcourt refinery in Nigeria's Rivers State ©Pius Utomi Ekpei (AFP/File)

"Measures have been put in place to handle the situation in such a way that public peace is not disrupted and to ensure life and property are protected," Ahmad Muhammad told AFP, without elaborating.

The protest, involving the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, comes after a series of similar marches in state capitals in southern Nigeria in the last week, despite a police ban.

The groups support the creation of a breakaway state of Biafra in the southeast and want the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is believed to be a major IPOB sponsor and director of the pirate radio station Radio Biafra.

He was arrested in October, several months after Nigeria's government ordered Radio Biafra to be taken off air for allegedly broadcasting "unsavoury hate messages".

A previous unilateral declaration of secession to create the Republic of Biafra sparked a brutal civil war in Nigeria from 1967 to 1970.

Federal police said last week security had been increased across the country and measures put in place "to ensure security and nobody will be allowed to disturb the peace of the nation".

The demand for Kanu's release has stirred up more protests across states in the region in the past days.

Since the end of the civil war, which left more than one million dead, many from starvation and disease, there have been sporadic attempts to revive the Biafra movement.

- 'No faith in Nigeria' -

The Igbo people who dominate the southeast region claim they have been unfairly treated -- even punished -- since the fighting stopped.

Infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity is lacking along with medical care and education, while Igbos say they have been denied senior political posts.

The founder of the Igbo Youth Movement, Elliot Uko, says years of feeling marginalised have fuelled the current protests.

"These people who want Biafra do not have faith in Nigeria anymore," he said.

"The idea of re-enacting (the) Biafra Republic has always been in the hearts and minds of young people, especially those who seem not to believe that the Igbo will ever get justice in Nigeria.

"They believe Nigeria is pulling the Igbo backward, they believe the Igbo are better off in a separate state. I have been organising seminars and workshops for Igbo youths for decades, I know their mindset."

A revival of secessionist calls was exploiting lingering anger and bitterness, he said, adding the government needed to take note of the grievances and to "give all sections (of society) a sense of belonging".

Children who fled the civil war in Nigeria's Biafra region receive food in Libreville, Gabon in March, 1969
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Children who fled the civil war in Nigeria's Biafra region receive food in Libreville, Gabon in March, 1969 ©- (AFP/File)

They should just trade carefully because we don't want what happen in Rwanda in early 90's to happen in Nigeria.

darelar:
They should just trade carefully because we don't want what happen in Rwanda in early 90's to happen in Nigeria.

Then u can definately kiss Nigeria good bye, becos the world no longer tolerate that kind of behavior. Go and ask Sudan how South Sudan became a separate country.

Buhari Buhari Buhari do u see all the problem your tribalism is causing?


Igbo Political Prisoner in the 21 century 2015/16.


Disobeying Court order to release Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

What a country? Harmless protester! No weapon still get shot!

jidestar:
What a country? Harmless protester! No weapon still get shot!

There absolutely nothing harmless over any quest to split Nigeria. The last agitation took over 2 million lives. Any day those miscreant pick up arms, more will die and Nigeria will still remain united and better.

egift:

There absolutely nothing harmless over any quest to split Nigeria. The last agitation took over 2 million lives. Any day those miscreant pick up arms, more will die and Nigeria will still remain united and better.

I am sure u realise that by shootng unarmed protesters the Military are doing a far better job to spit Nigeria than the protesters. They are commiting Human Rights offences that brings in Amnesty and various other international institution. The case reaches UN and a new country is created to safe guard people lives and property.

egift:


There absolutely nothing harmless over any quest to split Nigeria. The last agitation took over 2 million lives. Any day those miscreant pick up arms, more will die and Nigeria will still remain united and better.

Guys like you don't understand. Remain one in what sense? Are the Northern Nigerians not calling for an Islamic state. This presents an opportunity for all regions who feel that ethnic and religious entrepreneurs have had enough. It is up to Buhari to apply wisdom and do the needful to keep Nigeria together through fairness and equity or take the high road that will eventually see this leaking roofed house fall apart.

Same reason why America refused to sell arms to Nigeria is what you just saw. When an unprovoked situation is a requirement for law enforcers to shoot people down, you already look bad in this new world.

This is not the era when an Obasanjo can clear Udi without questions. People are tellin their stories with their phones beyond what traditional media can tell the world.

This is the reality of the time we live in.

Kudos to the Police. More ammunitions to their rifles.

Hope for Nigeria is Dead.


See the way they shot the future generation for daring to stand and ask question.


America will sell arms to Nigeria in 3012

jidestar:


I am sure u realise that by shootng unarmed protesters the Military are doing a far better job to spit Nigeria than the protesters. They are commiting Human Rights offences that brings in Amnesty and various other international institution. The case reaches UN and a new country is created to safe guard people lives and property.

When teargas, hot water, arrests, bullets, stones, looting, vandalism, bombs, tanks, state of emergency and other related activities start dominating your community - I will like to remind you then that today you could have avoid those by being a proud law-abiding Nigerian.

egift:


There absolutely nothing harmless over any quest to split Nigeria. The last agitation took over 2 million lives. Any day those miscreant pick up arms, more will die and Nigeria will still remain united and better.

You think so? Well, we will die but I bet you won't be on earth forever. You will die one day and face judgement for what you said, did and your thought. We will get Biafra. Biafra is all we know.

And d news keep spreading... Nxt ll b CNN, Aljazeera, Etc. What ll it take dat man to release Nnamdi Kalu? Biafra would hv remained a radio tin if Nnamdi wasn't arrested. But nw see cheap publicity, Hahaha...... Nnamdi ll b begging them nt to release him. Amnesty ll soon step in....

So Biafra is an Igbo struggle afterall.

I saw this coming. Who says the international press is asleep.

stickncarrot:



You think so? Well, we will die but I bet you won't be on earth forever. You will die one day and face judgement for what you said, did and your thought. We will get Biafra. Biafra is all we know.

Jesus will come and go and Nigeria will still remain together.

egift:


There absolutely nothing harmless over any quest to split Nigeria. The last agitation took over 2 million lives. Any day those miscreant pick up arms, more will die and Nigeria will still remain united and better.

You are a very big useless and worthless coward, people have right to decide on their, is not a force to be corjoined together, get use to that. Nigeria is a big scam.

BrokenTV:

You are a very big useless and worthless coward, people have right to decide on their, is not a force to be corjoined together, get use to that. Nigeria is a big scam.

When you are done insulting your linage, then fix your Broken Television and stop seeking bloodshed in Aligbo.

Lord heal the world!

egift:


There absolutely nothing harmless over any quest to split Nigeria. The last agitation took over 2 million lives. Any day those miscreant pick up arms, more will die and Nigeria will still remain united and better.

Hope you are good at manufacturing guns and tanks, sharpen up your karate skills because you will soon need them. I'm in Enugu currently, and i'd like to
see you say the crap you always spill here in real life. Are you man enough to take up the challenge? Give me time and place.

Once live bullets are fired at peaceful protesters, it changes the dynamics at the world stage
British Daily Mail has now confirmed it as well as the perpetrators - the Nigeria Police
Of course it is expected that perpetrators would claim they shot in the air, the victims just have to gather their evidence and that's it.

egift:


Jesus will come and go and Nigeria will still remain together.

OK, let's wait.

Buhari is a bastard. One Nigeria is not by force. shotting protesters dead will not change their mind. Proudly Biafran.

MIPNIG:


Guys like you don't understand. Remain one in what sense? Are the Northern Nigerians not calling for an Islamic state. This presents an opportunity for all regions who feel that ethnic and religious entrepreneurs have had enough. It is up to Buhari to apply wisdom and do the needful to keep Nigeria together through fairness and equity or take the high road that will eventually see this leaking roofed house fall apart.

You expect Buhari who is an islamic terrorist to apply wisdom ?

Deltagiant:
Once live bullets are fired at peaceful protesters, it changes the dynamics at the world stage
British Daily Mail has now confirmed it as well as the perpetrators - the Nigeria Police
Of course it is expected that perpetrators would claim they shot in the air, the victims just have to gather their evidence and that's it.

That is the point the UK article is trying to make.