Some members of the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and policemen were engaged in fierce fighting along Anwai Road in Asaba on Monday, witnesses said.
Our correspondent gathered that the fracas broke out after a team of policemen threw teargas at the crowd in a bid to disperse them, but the action allegedly made the MASSOB members angry and they attacked the policemen with broken bottles and knives.
Unfortunately, a police officer was purportedly beaten and stabbed to death. Meanwhile, during another clash which occurred at the popular Mammy Market Junction on Nnebisi Road in Asaba between the police and MASSOB members, several people were injured and the police patrol vehicle was vandalized.
Witnesses said some persons, including police officers who were injured in the clash , were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.
A similar clash occurred at the River Niger Bridge on the border between Delta and Anambra states when some MASSOB members tried to conduct a similar rally. During the clash at the bridge head, it was reported that the crowd allegedly overpowered the policemen, and two officers were thrown into the River.
Though the police has retrieved and taken the unconscious officer to the hospital, the other officer is still missing.
While in Imo State, policemen on Monday, were able to arrest about 17 members of MASSOB for embarking on street procession to commemorate the 49th anniversary of Biafra and 17th anniversary of MASSOB.
According to reports, the procession started from the Waterside Primary School, Owerri, from where they moved to Rotibi Street to Oguamana Street before linking Douglas Road.
The MASSOB members had met heavily armed security operatives, at Douglas Road, who threw teargas at them and arrested a few of them.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, while confirming the arrest, said those arrested would soon be prosecuted.
