Pro-Biafra protesters on Wednesday grounded vehicular and commercial activities at the Alaba International Market, Ojo Local Government Area, Lagos, with a mega rally to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Radio Biafra Director and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Confusion, traffic congestion
The traffic congestion that normally characterises the Old Ojo Road in Lagos was worsened Wednesday when traders and other Biafran loyalists protested in the Alaba Market area in Ojo Local Area of Lagos State, causing confusion in the axis.
The traders shut down shops and restricted vehicular movements in the area leaving the motorists to groan in the traffic for hours.
The Biafran supporters who demanded unconditional dismissal of the case against the Director of Radio Biafra Nnamdi Kanu said until their demands are met they will continue to agitate for his release.
Anayo, one of the protest leaders, said, ”We have been pushed into protesting. Why will the government be persecuting the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. People have the right to voice out their opinion. He was not a threat at all.
“ As we were still protesting, we were told that the case against the director had been struck out. We pray so and if that is the truth the problem is over.”
Another protester told journalists, “We were singing solidarity songs, and marched through the streets to express our grievance on the trial of Nnamdi Kanu. We all dispersed when news came in around 1pm that he had been freed from the court trial.”
As the protesters constituted a threat to the existing peaceful environment in Lagos, it was learnt that policemen from the Ojo, Ajangbadi, and FESTAC Area E Command trooped to the highway to monitor the activities of the protesters to ensure that it did not turn violent.
Efforts to speak with the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joe Offor met a brickwall as his phone rang several times without being picked.
The Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday warned members of the movement not to stage any protest in Lagos.
The party warned MASSOB and IPOB against plunging Lagos into crisis.
However, in a statement Wednesday, IPOB disclosed that it will hold its rally along the Alaba International Market axis, as well as visit several embassies and High Commissions, the Amnesty International and UN offices, in Victoria Island and Ikoyi axis of Lagos, to deliver protest letters.
Meanwhile, armed policemen were at the scene of the protests to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
Eye-witnesses shared the photos:
-Vanguard