Police have dispersed supporters of Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have dispersed supporters of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, who gathered close to the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
His supporters who were earlier been denied access to the court premises, gathered by the side of the road chanting solidarity songs before the police dispersed them.
The Separatist will be re-arraigned in court today on the allegation of treason.
On June 29, the IPOB leader was re-arraigned before Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja following his extradition from Kenya.
Kanu is currently being accused of jumping bail after he was released in 2017. This was following a raid on his father’s house in Abia State by soldiers of the Nigerian Army.
His IPOB is seeking the restoration of the defunct Republic of Biafra that went to war with Nigeria from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970.
Meanwhile, protesters believed to be Indigenous People of Biafra have blocked strategic roads in Onitsha and Nnewi, Anambra State, in protest against the trial of Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja on Monday.
According to reports, IPOB had, late on Sunday, sent out signals asking its members to enforce a sit-at-home protest in the South-East because of the case of Nnamdi Kanu, coming up on Monday (today) in Abuja.
An anonymous source said, “We got the signal very late in Awka. So, we could not mobilise to protest in Awka as they are doing in Nnewi and Onitsha. That’s why noting is happening in Awka and environs.”
However, residents and visitors in Onitsha and Nnewi could not attend to their businesses as major roads in the two areas were blocked and shops, markets, and offices were under lock, while streets were deserted.
Reports gathered from Onitsha disclosed that youths suspected to be members of IPOB made bonfires in most streets, while also ordering vehicles entering the city to turn back.
Similarly, protesters were reportedly attacking vehicles that attempted to enter the town in Nnewi.
A trader, Lizinus Eze, said, “We heard it yesterday( Sunday) as a rumour that there would not be market today (Monday), but this morning we found out that people were making bonfires everywhere in the city.
“Nobody has spoken to us about what is happening, but we learnt that it is IPOB that is trying to force people to stay at home in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu who is appearing in court today.”
Meanwhile, commercial activities were going on without hitches in Awka at the time of filing this report.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, when contacted said he was in a meeting and would not be able to comment on the issue.
