There was tension around the palace of Eze Aro in Arochukwu town, Arochukwu local government area of Abia State, following a gun battle Soldiers and the militants arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Security Sources confirmed that five militants members of the outlawed group were killed.
The IPOB militants were said to have stormed the community to the enforce “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 news that the IPOB leader had been brought to court, they took to the streets in celebration.
They were later joined by some IPOB members.
The source said the IPOB members were in a jubilant mood that Kanu is alive, contrary to reports they had been getting about the safety of the separatist leader, but on arriving at the First Bank axis of the town, the IPOB members were confronted by soldiers.
The security source said while the soldiers were engaging the IPOB members who were in a procession, five members of the pro-Biafra group were gunned down.
He said the gun shots caused pandemonium in Arochukwu, as residents scuttled into nearby bushes