Biafra: 5 shot dead celebrating Kanu’s release

FIVE members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) were yesterday allegedly shot dead by securitymen in Onitsha, Anambra State while celebrating the release by an Abuja High Court of Radio Biafra Director, their leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu. The IPOB members who were jubilating at the Bridge Head in Onitsha clashed with the security operatives resulting in the death of five persons.
There was tension among motorists and commuters along the busy Niger Bridge area, Enugu/Onitsha Expressway over fear of possible blockage of the Bridge Head by the IPOB members.
The supporters, who on hearing about the court’s favourable verdict on Kanu converged at the statue of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu- Ojukwu in a large procession from Bridge Head to the town when they were intercepted by the security operatives.
An eyewitness, who is also a trader at Bridge Head Market, Chibuike, said trouble started when the IPOB members were asked to stop their march towards the River Niger Bridge, but the group insisted and continued, an action that led to the fracas and shootings.