Thousands of pro-Biafran protesters yesterday morning stormed Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, and shut down all major markets in the city.

The protesters, most of whom were clad in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) uniform, forced a lockdown of Aba after vain efforts by security agents to disperse the mammoth crowd. It is believed that many of the protesters converged on Aba from the neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers.

The Ariaria International Market, Cemetery Market, Etche Road Market and New Market were all shut down.

The activists brandished placards some of which read: “Free Nnamdi Kanu now”, “Give us freedom”, “No more zoo”, etc. They took off from Ariaria International Market and marched through Faulks Road, Brass Street and Okigwe Road, from where they headed for the main motor park, chanting their favourite song, “Ihe nile zuruoke n’ala Biafra” (“Biafra Has It All”), while they forced moving vehicles to park.

“Aba has been completely sealed up. There is no movement anywhere. Many traders are scampering home for fear of any outbreak of violence,” a witness told News Express on phone.

The protest was, however, peaceful and recorded no incidents.

Meanwhile, in Umuahia, the state capital, residents were yesterday morning rattled as a complement of armed personnel, including the military, police and civil defence, were seen moving out of the capital city in their siren-blaring vehicles, including an armoured personnel carrier.

It was gathered that Biafran activists angered by the continued detention of Radio Biafra Director Nnamdi Kanu by the Department of State Security (DSS), despite meeting his bail conditions, had last Saturday gone round the markets to warn traders against opening for business on Monday. That same day, they reportedly protested at Osisioma junction where the police dispersed them with tear gas.

The protests started in Onitsha, Anambra State, and Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, shaking Awka on Saturday and Enugu yesterday.

•Photo shows pro-Biafra demonstrators.