Nigerian Police, Separatists Clash on Day of Protest

Police in southeastern Nigeria have clashed with separatist protesters demanding the release of their leader.

Authorities used tear gas and fired live rounds to disperse youths who blocked roads in the city of Ontisha Monday.

The separatist group MASSOB says three people were killed - a claim police have denied.

The group, which advocates independence for Nigeria's Biafra region, had called for a two-day shutdown of business in the region to protest the detention of leader Ralph Uwazurike.

Millions of ethnic Ibos stayed at home Monday, with reports saying some supported the protest while others were fearful of trouble.

An Ibo attempt to break Biafra away from Nigeria in 1967 led to a three-year civil war in which more than one million people died.

Some information for this story provided by Reuters and AFP.