Celebration turned awry as members of the Indigenous people of Biafra were celebrating the release of the director of the Radio Biafra, Prince Nnamdi KANU,on Thursday, 17th December 2015.

Kanu’s supporters who ,converged at the Bridge head to celebrate the favourable judgment of the Abuja magistrate court to free Mr Kanu unconditionally, clashed with the Joint Task Force who were bent on dispersing the crowd of supporters.

The clash ended in the death of five members of the IPOB while others were left injured.

n 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.He said the security agents shot sporadically probablyto disperse the crowd. They might have been hit by stray bullets, he noted.Another source said a soldier was among the casualties but could not confirm whether he died or not.As at Press time, traders and artisans who transact business around the area had to shut their shops to avoid possible attack by the IPOB members or possible stray bullets.

When contacted, the Police Area Commander for Onitsha, Mr. Philip Ezekiel, told reporters to call back as there was emergency in town.