There was tension at the bridgehead in Onitsha, Anambra State yesterday following a blockade by Army from 302 military cantonments.

It was learnt that the blockade, accompanied by stop and search, was connected with Monday’s clash between pro-Biafran agitators and security agents during the 30th Biafra Day celebration which later turned bloody.

A visit to the bridgehead revealed that many soldiers at the foot of the bridge conducted the stop and search.

The situation caused gridlock for those coming into the city from Delta State and those going out through the River Niger Bridge to other states including Edo and Lagos.

A military source said they would remain at the bridgehead to ensure that “nobody or group of persons block the bridge and prevents movement in and out of the state.”

Meanwhile, Campaign for Democracy (CD) has condemned deployment of soldiers at the bridgehead. CD National Publicity Secretary, Dede Uzor. A Uzor, in a statement, condemned the blockade and alleged harassment of innocent motorists.

Meanwhile, Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) and Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) zonal leader in Abia North senatorial district, Pastor Evan I. Okoronkwo has said that there is light at the end of the tunnel as far as the Biafran struggle is concerned.

He gave the assurance in Arochukwu when thousands of Biafran faithful turned out to mark the annual Biafran Independence anniversary day.

“Biafran People, both young and old trooped out in their thousands, defied the threats of security agencies to march along the major Arochukwu Road, within Arochukwu Local Government Area headquarters, chanting praises to Almighty God for giving them victory over powers of darkness in the face of stiff opposition,” he said.

(Daily Sun)

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