The security agencies and Nigerian Army have started a manhunt for publishers of pro Biafra newspapers in South east especially in Aba, Abia state. A newspaper vendor who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Vanguard that a group of security agencies and the Nigerian Army accosted him and some of his colleagues on the road demanding them to disclose the identity of the publishers of the Biafra newspapers circulating in the city of Aba.
From the reports published by Vanguard and Naij online reports, one of the vendors identified as Mr. Emeka is suspected to have been arrested by security agencies. Remember that some soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion Asa, Ukwa West Council area, had on March 14, 2016, confiscated unsold and new editions of pro- Biafra newspapers; New Republic, Vesym, Freedom Journal, including copies of Authority newspapers in Aba, Abia state.
From research, it has been noticed that some of the vendors have devised several strategies to hide and sell the pro Biafra newspapers and magazines which are in very high demand in the Aba city. You will be amazed to know that the Pro Biafra newspapers sell faster and more than national newspapers in Aba, Owerri and Umuahia cities.
One publisher, who declined to be named for fear of reprisal, in an interview with Vanguard, condemned the action of the military, and denied that pro Biafra newspapers incite hatred among the people, stressing that they only publish Biafra stories as some national dailies do. “We are publishing only reports about Biafra like other national dailies do so as to inform people of what is going on on the Igbo Biafran Land".
He also stated this; Let the military go and close down all the media houses because they are carrying Biafra stories, after all, we are not the only people publishing stories on Biafra, there are thousands of online and paper publishers across the world that publishes these news.” As at the time of filing this report, efforts to get the reaction of the Army Public Relations Officer, 14 Brigade Ohafia, Major Sidney Mbaneme, proved abortive as his mobile number was unavailable. More news to come your way. Stay tuned.