At least 20
members of the Pro-Biafra group, Biafra Zionist Movement, BZM, led by Barrister
Benjamin Onwuka on Thursday launched another attack on the Enugu State
Broadcasting Service, ESBS, but the seccesionist group’s attempt to make a live
broadcast was foiled by security operatives..
the
incident, which occurred at about 6a.m., resulted in a fierce gun battle during
which a policeman and a member of the group were killed. .
The same
group attacked the Government House, Enugu, eastern Nigeria, on 8 March, and
held everyone hostage for nearly four hours.
The BZM
members, who were led to the television house by Onwuka, allegedly killed a
police sergeant and wounded another Inspector who were among a four-man police
patrol team that stormed the scene to stop them.
Heavily
armed mobile policemen drafted to the place arrived after the BZM members had
left but an eyewitness said two members were later arrested while some people
passing by were also arrested for questioning.
Onwuka and
many of his men had escaped before the policemen arrived, according to the
eyewitness.
Onwuka’s
mission to the state television house was to make a live broadcast having
declared himself leader of the new Biafran Republic last year.
The group
had claimed responsibility for the invasion of the Enugu Government House in
March during which some guards were injured.
The police
arrested and arraigned five members of the group who were remanded in Enugu
prison.
The police
later declared Onwuka and his members wanted but none of them was arrested
before today’s invasion of the ESBS.
However,
shortly after today’s invasion of the TV station,, police sources said that
Onwuka and 12 members of his group have been arrested by a team of security
operatives who gave them a hot chase while they were trying to escape into
Independence Layout of the Coal City.
The State
Police Spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, DSP, said he was assessing the situation
and promised to formally brief the media later.
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