The Biafra Nations Youth League (BNYL) has blamed the Nigerian Army for last week’s showdown between troops and militants in Bakassi Peninsula. Five soldiers and two militants died in the encounter, according to an official account.

BNYL now claims that the attack was launched by militants who have sympathy for the group and its agitation for Biafra. It said the militants struck because they were angry that troops were dispatched to hunt BNYL members who had announced a programme for Bakassi refugees.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, BNYL Media and Publicity Secretary Mmeyene Etim said: “I don’t think they know that a peaceful organisation like Biafra Nations Youth League cannot be easily cracked down on. Following us about anywhere we announce our programme is suicidal because those boys in the coastal creeks who want Biafra today and tomorrow will continue to engage them in battle, they don’t appreciate the fact that we are doing everything possible to stop the violence in Akwa-Cross Delta and Niger Delta. We will leave the situation to continue to worsen hence they are still using force on us.”

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