Yesterday, hundreds of women suspected to be members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), protested in Owerri, the Imo State capital, demanding the whereabouts of the missing IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kalu. They equally demanded a referendum for an Independent state of Biafra by the Federal Government.

The woman adorned in black attire with Biafra insignia such as flags and caps sang pro Biafra songs. They accused the Federal Government of “deliberately marginalising Biafran people”.

Trouble started at the Government House roundabout, Owerri, when policemen on sighting the demonstrators fired teargas canisters at them. The women defied the police action and continued with their march.

At Warehouse Junction, policemen in operational vehicles intercepted the women, fired another round of teargas canisters and arrested many of them.

While some of them fled to safety and started jeering at the policemen, the cops took the arrested protesters who are said to be 44 in number to the state command headquarters.

The CP said the protesters were arrested for unlawful assembly and disrupting the public peace, adding that they would be charged to court.