Newspaper review: PMB tells how GEJ saved Nigeria, south east burns as Biafrans deal with police
– Pro-Biafra activists took to the streets on Monday in celebration of Biafran Day
– The celebration turned sour as they clashed with security agents in different states in the south east
– Over 30 people were reportedly killed in Onitsha
– MASSOB said it was not part of the protest, adding that it was not enough reason for security men to open fire on innocent people
– President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat
Major Nigerian dailies for Tuesday, May 31, are focused burning issues in the nation such as the bloodbath in the south east as soldiers and policemen clashed with pro-Biafra groups and the commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day at the presidential villa.
Some of the pro-Biafra protesters were killed and arrested in Anambra, Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia states.
The Punch reports that no fewer than 30 persons and a soldier were allegedly killed in Onitsha on Monday as pro-Biafran protesters and security agents engaged in a bloody clash.
The Punch front page
The pro-Biafran protesters were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the defunct Biafra republic by the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
The pro-Biafran group blocked major streets in Onitsha at the Niger Bridge Head area, forcing most residents to remain indoors.
They were intercepted by the army and policemen and a clash ensued.
IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said: “They killed about 25 of our armless members at Nkpor without any cause. They just opened fire on us as we were having a peaceful procession.”
Daily Sun reports that fifty-two members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and three policeman were feared killed in Anambra, Rivers, Delta and Abia states, during the Biafra Day celebration.
Daily Sun front page
The Joint Security Taskforce arrested Chief Anthony Nwodo, the Nnewi south regional administrator of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), and 14 others.
IPOB media and publicity officer, Emma Powerful alleged that the army went to St Edmond Church at Nkpor where members who came from far places had camped for the Monday programme and shot some of them, leaving some injured.
Vanguard reports that the leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu has dissociated his organization from the protest.
Vanguard front page
According to him, he had earlier issued a statement that this year’s Biafra Day should be celebrated quietly and that all MASSOB members should stay at home.
In the same vein, the Anambra state government condemned the protest by IPOB in Onitsha, saying it was illegal as the group did not obtain the necessary police permit for the rally.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat to him, The Guardian reports.
The Guardian front page
Speaking at a press luncheon he hosted for State House Press Corps as part of the activities to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day, Buhari said if not for that singular act of Jonathan, the country would have been in turmoil.
He said he was shocked by Jonathan’s call because for someone who was a deputy governor, a governor, a vice president and a president for six years to concede that easily, showed Jonathan’s “great sense of patriotism.”
In other news, some investigators from the United Kingdom have visited Nigeria to gather evidence in the ongoing probe and preparation for the arraignment of a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, The Nation reports.
The Nation front page
Confirming the visit, a source said it was the “continuation of the London end of the investigation of the ex-minister. With the outcome of the fact-finding mission of the UK team, I think so far, the investigation has reached a convenient bend for the prosecution of the ex-minister.”
Diezani is under investigation over the missing $20billion oil cash, phoney crude oil lifting contracts, $115million poll bribery money, the $1.092b Malabu oil deal and the N5.2billion ($25m) oil cash paid by an Indian oil firm for an oil block.
There were indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has also frozen Mrs Alison-Madueke’s bank accounts.
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