There was palpable tension in the ancient town of Arochukwu, Abia State, yesterday, as soldiers and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) clashed in the area.
Unconfirmed reports had it that five people suspected to be IPOB members were feared killed in the imbroglio.
Although the incident which led to the shooting had not been made official at the time of filing the report, however, a local source said immediately after news got to the area that Nnamdi Kanu was brought to court in Abuja, yesterday, to face trial, some members of IPOB in the area took to the streets to jubilate.
The source said the IPOB members were jubilating that contrary to reports they had been getting about the safety of their leader, that Kanu was still alive.
It was gathered that on getting to a point within the First Bank axis of the town, the IPOB members were confronted by soldiers who attempted to disperse them.
Unconfirmed reports said while the soldiers were engaging the IPOB members who were in a procession, trouble ensued, and in the process, five members of the pro-Biafra group were shot dead.
This was said to have caused pandemonium in Arochukwu, as residents scampered for safety.
Some residents were said to have taken refuge inside the bush to avoid being victims of the onslaught.
At the time of filing the report, the Arochukwu Eze-in-Council was said to be meeting over the incident.
