Heritagenewsng has gathered that no fewer than five Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militant group were killed during a gun battle between the group and the military on Wednesday in Abia State .
The incident caused panick and tension around the palace of Eze Aro in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, the scene of the incident on Wednesday, and Thursday, the following day which was the data fixed for Nnamdi Kanu’s trial.
The IPOB militants were said to have stormed the community to enforce the “sit-at-home” order declared by the outlawed group.
IPOB had asked residents to remain indoors on days that Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, is arraigned in court.
Kanu was arraigned on a 7-count charge at an Abuja court on Thursday and he pleaded not guilty.
A source said immediately residents of the area got the news that the IPOB leader had been brought to court, they took to the streets in celebration.
The source said the IPOB members, who were also in a jubilant mood that Kanu is alive, contrary to reports they had been getting about the safety of the separatist leader, marched on the streets.
On arriving at the First Bank axis of the town, the IPOB members exchanged gunfire with soldiers.
The security source said five members of the pro-Biafra group bowed to the superior firepower of the troops.
He said the gunshots caused pandemonium in Arochukwu, as residents scuttled into nearby bushes.
In a related development, a soldier has been murdered in Etekuru, Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Heritagenewsng gathered that the soldier was ambushed and killed, while his rifle was stolen.
In a reprisal, soldiers invaded the community and burnt houses.
The incident came two weeks after soldiers razed down houses in Izombe in the Oguta Local Government Area of the state following the killing of two soldiers.
The chaos in Orsu Ihitte Ukwa started after Tuesday’s killing of two traditional rulers in neighbouring Okwudor.
The tension snowballed into clashes between some youths and security operatives as the community observed the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) following Thursday’s arraignment of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Soldiers were alleged to have gone round the town burning shops, houses and property of the villagers.
The casualty figures could not be ascertained but the town has been deserted as many have fled their homes.
Efforts to get the reaction of Army Public Relations Officer, Capt. Joseph Akubo, were in vain as his line was out of reach when our correspondent tried to reach him.
Meanwhile, roads and streets in Owerri, the state capital, were virtually empty as residents observed what has been described as the “mother of all sit-at-home”, on Thursday.
Credit: Daily Trust.
