Members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Nnewi Division, Friday, clashed at the popular Nkwo Nnewi Market.
At least, one police officer and one member of the pro Biafran group were killed in the clash.
Members of the pro Biafra group were at Nnewi to drive home their stance of boycott of the 2019 election in the south east, except a date was fixed for a referendum to determine freedom for the people of the zone.
The protesters numbering over 2,000 stormed the market, with each member waving the Biafran flag, and chanting ‘no referendum, no election’.
The group moved round, telling Igbo people in the market not to participate in the 2019 general election unless the FG heed their demand and conduct referendum.
Trouble, however, started when police operatives arrived the scene in three hilux vans and tried to stop IPOB activities.
Members of the group were said to have first pounced on the police officers, destroying their vans and leaving two officers in the pool of their blood.
It was gathered that the Nkwo Nnewi market closed abruptly at about 2:30pm when the incident started, as traders were seen scampering for safety.
As of the time of filling this report, could not get confirmation from police authorities in the state.
Calls to the police public relations officer the state, SP Haruna Mohammed were not answered nor returned.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful told our correspondent through a press release that the march was staged by its members to reiterate their commitment to boycotting the general election.
