In further efforts to stifle agitations for Biafra, Department of Security Services (DSS) officials on Tuesday raided newspaper vendors in the Delta state capital, Asaba confiscating all newspapers propagating Biafra republic.
All major newspaper centres were raided in the city, specifically those along Ibusa road, the popular Nnebisi road and some opposite the Westend Mixed Secondary in Asaba.
The officials did not state their reasons for the raid but onlookers said the raid might not be unconnected with the proscription of Independent People of Biafra, hence it becomes necessary to stamp out every inscription of Biafra form the nation.
One of the vendors told Emeraldng.com that all the papers bearing Biafra in her stand were confiscated by the DSS who gave no reason for their action and went away with them.
Another vendor by the United Bank of Africa, near Ibusa junction, was most hit as he was lucky to have escaped following the presence of the DSS officials.
He told Emeraldng.com that as soon as he saw the officials, he abandoned all his papers, even the national dailies, including PUNCH, Nation Vanguard and others and fled from the presence of the officials.
He explained that if he had not fled from their presence, he would have been arrested by the officials.
He said every newspaper vendor around the area and the IPOB youths around took to their heels as they usually gather round the vendors stand to read daily newspapers where they argue over issues of Biafra and Nigeria.
“It wasn’t a small thing. I had to run away when I saw them. I left all my papers and escaped. They were even calling me to come but people around told me not to go to them that they may arrest me. Everybody was afraid,” the vendor who would not want his name mentioned said.
Among the papers confiscated are Biafra Times, Biafra Star and other papers that are specifically for the promotion of Biafra propaganda in Nigeria.