IPOB members shut down Owerri, Insist on referendum

The police in Imo on Friday arrested some women protesting over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for allegedly conducting an unlawful assembly.

Some of the women, mostly of middle age and from the Southeast states, were half nude, while others dressed in black and marched through the streets of Owerri.

They disrupted vehicular movement and other activities in some parts of the town.

The protesters chanted war songs and displayed different placards with inscriptions asking the Federal Government to release Kanu.

The women claimed that the security agencies knew the whereabouts of Kanu who has been out of public view since he had an encounter with the military in Umuahia about one year ago.

They asked Gov. Rochas Okorocha to help them to actualise their dream of a getting  Biafra.

The women later barricaded the popular Government House Roundabout and created a chaotic atmosphere around the area.

One of their leaders, Mrs Ann Ibe, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they came out in full force to fight for the actualisation their dream.

She said they were ready to die for the cause.

When a special team of police men sent by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Dasuki Galadanchi, arrived at the scene, the protesters broke into a dance.

Some of them pulled off their clothes and danced naked, while others lay on the ground and dared the police.

The police succeeded in arresting some of the protesters after in spite of their offering serious resistance.

Commenting on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Andrew Enwerem, said the women were arrested for conducting an illegal assembly and holding an unlawful protest. (NAN)