UPDATED

Reports from across the country indicate that the Nigerian military has a problem understanding that people have a right to peaceful demonstration in a democracy. At least, 50 members of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the  Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ,were on Monday sent to their early graves by an intolerant Nigerian security forces.

With President Muhammadu Buhari failing to call his military to order, the killing spree of pro-Biafran agitators continued today in Onitsha and Asaba. Deaths were was reported in Abia and Rivers States.

No fewer than 50 persons have been confirmed dead following protest by MASSOB members in Asaba today, in commemoration of fallen Biafran heroes.

Eyewitnesses say that 32 people were killed in Onitsha. IPOB Media and Publicity officer, Emma Powerful also said that 40 members were killed yesterday, bringing the number of casualties to 72. The claim of Emma Powerful could not be independently verified.

Nonetheless, killings were confirmed by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in Delta, SP Charles Muka, though he put the figure at seven. He said that the peaceful protest, which later turned violent, saw the police lose two officers.

According to him, the protesters turned violent and attacked the policemen deployed to monitor the protest, killed two and injured two others. This position has been rejected by the IPON members as the true representation of what happened.

Muka further said:“We had to deploy our officers to ensure that the protest was peaceful but we were surprised that the people turned violent.

“To our surprise, they started attacking our men and at Okwe Junction in Abraka area of Asaba, the group killed a police corporal and took his AK47 riffle.

“Also along the Dennis Osadeby Way in Asaba, they wounded a police officer and took his anti-riot gun.

“This group also attacked and wounded two policemen, suspected to be marine police, and threw them into the River Niger at Cable Point in Asaba and in the process one died and one was rescued.

He also disclosed that the military arrested and brought eight members of MASOB to the police and they “are now in custody in Asaba.’’

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has dissociated itself from the Biafran anniversary celebrations which led to the deadly clash between soldiers and pro-Biafran activists.

“We’re not involved in the protest that paralysed commercial activities in the area,” MASSOB leader, Mr. Uchenna Madu, said.

He nevertheless accused security operatives of killing innocent and unarmed Nigerians.

“Security operatives of the Federal Government are arresting and killing people who are non-violent. Is it because we are not armed? It appears the only language the Nigerian security understands is violence.

“This issue is not about MASSOB or IPOD. It is about Ndigbo generally. In the ongoing killings, innocent people were also targets.

“The government is negotiating with Niger Delta militants and faceless Boko Haram, but is threatening to wipe out pro-Biafra agitators because they are Igbo.”

Also in Owerri, Imo State about 17 MASSOB members were arrested for holding a peaceful walk in commemoration of 49th anniversary of Biafra.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the arrests, assured that those arrested would be prosecuted.

It is learnt that the MASSOB members began their march at Waterside Primary School, Owerri, from where they moved to Rotibi Street before linking Douglas Road.

However, at Douglas Road the marchers met heavily armed security men, who threw tear-gas at them at Ama JK junction and arrested some.

Okechukwu Nwogu, a leader of MASSOB, regretted that the police arrested members of the group who were on a peaceful march to commemorate the 49th anniversary of Biafra and 17th anniversary of MASSOB.

“What Nigeria government is doing to us is very unfair; MASSOB is a non-violent group moving without arms in remembrance of our history.”

He called on Igbo leaders to break their silence and speak for Igbo people, who are being brutalised by security forces.