5th June, 2014
Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja
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..
Sources told P.M.NEWS that 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.
A member of the group was shot dead by the police team who thwarted the plan of the group.
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.