Biafra protest takes another dimension, turns bloody, scores of deaths, Mosque burnt - In pictures

Nkiruka Anthonia Ikeanyionwu, a 21-year old student of the Federal College of Education UMUNZE from Adazi-Nnukwu, Anambra state was killed on Wednesday by a Nigerian Navy personnel who was deployed to the place of the unrest following protest by pro-Biafra groups, which took another dimension also leading to the burning down of a mosque, Naij.com's freelance reporter Arinze Esomnofu reported.

The bloody protest equally claimed some lives in Onitsha Anambra State, according to report.

A source disclosed to Daily Post that trouble started when members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, clashed with security agents.

However, while it was alleged that some of the protesters were armed against the security operatives, MASSOB leaders alleged that the violent youths were sponsored by the Federal Government.

In a statement made available to newsmen by MASSOB Acting Leader, Uchenna Madu which reads in part, ''the setting of Ontisha Central Mosque,vehicles ablaze and making of burning fires which depicts violence are not done by the members of IPOB or MASSOB under my leadership.

''This unwarranted acts of violence are perfected by hoodlums sponsored by agents of the Federal Government to create impression that non violence and peaceful pro-Biafra group have turned violent on our agitation for Biafra. Our oppressors are no longer comfortable. There is no evidence of terrorism in our protest. How can we now resort to violence now that we’re told that the presidency is about negotiating with leaders of pro-Biafra group?

''With today’s killing of our members and injuring many with bullet shots,we are no longer comfortable with the presidency’s move for dialogue. Federal Government move for dialogue is hypocritical and deceitful. Any Igbo group,organization and persons negotiating,meeting or dialoguing with the presidency on our behalf without our consent or mandate should stop now.

''MASSOB led by Uchenna Madu and IPOB led by Nnamdi Kanu have never mandated any person to negotiate for us. Even in this persecution,arrest,killings,clampdown,suppression against us by Nigeria Government,we shall continue and intensify our non violence agitation for Biafra. For Nigeria to release their Armed Forces against non violence,defenseless Biafra agitators shows their wickedness and the devilish mind of President Muhammad Buhari against our people.''