At least eight youths suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were on Thursday killed by soldiers in the two Southeast States of Abia and Imo.
While three were killed in Imo State on Thursday, five were shot dead by soldiers on guard at First Bank Arochukwu, in Abia State.
But IPOB had consistently been denying that none of the attacks in the Southeast region was being perpetuated by its members.
A statement by the Abia State Police Command and confirmed by Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede, said members of the proscribed group numbering about 50 had attacked the solders at the bank with guns and machetes.
The arrival of the alleged IPOB members had caused tension around the palace of Eze Aro of Arochukwu, Aochukwu Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State on Thursday, as soldiers exchanged gunfire with them.
They had stormed the community to the enforce the “Sit-at-Home” order it declared as its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja on a 7-count charge for which he pleaded not guilty.
A source said immediately residents of the area got news that the IPOB leader had been brought to court, they took to the streets in celebration.
The IPOB members were said to be in a jubilant mood that Kanu is alive, contrary to reports they had been getting about his safety, then marched off to the streets.
The source said that on arriving the First Bank axis of the town, the IPOB members exchanged gunfire with soldiers and that five members fell to the superior firepower of the troops.
He said the gunshots caused pandemonium in Arochukwu, as residents scuttled into nearby bushes.
On the killing of the IPOB members in Imo State, the Police statement reads that when the attacked, “the soldiers made a counter attack and three of the hoodlums were neutralized during the exchange of firing.
“The superior firing power of the soldiers made the hoodlums to disperse. As at now, effort has been intensified to track down the fleeing hoodlums.”
The Imo State Police boss therefore urged members of the public to report anyone seen with bullet wound to the nearest Police station or any law enforcement agent.