At least 13 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been reportedly killed as the protests for the release of the group’s leader Nnamdi Kanu, Director of Radio Biafra, finally turned violent in the famed commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State.

IPOB members had taken to the streets for the second day running, occupying the Niger Bridge all through the night and making travelers to and from the eastern parts of the country stranded.

The alleged deaths are being blamed on the military and reportedly occurred in the process of trying to clear the bridge for traffic.

In reaction, the protesters reportedly smashed vehicles, as well as razed a mosque and nine trucks belonging to Dangote Cement. Business activities in the town have become paralysed, with people seeking safe havens.

Speaking on how the protests turned violent, IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said: “The soldiers killed four of our men at the Bridge Head Market at about 1:30 this morning without their committing any offence.

“The soldiers came with the police, civil defence, DSS and others, attacked our men because we are a non-violent body.

“We will continue the protest in Onitsha tomorrow unless the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, is released by President Mohammadu Buhari, who does not want anything good from the Igbo people.”

•Photo shows IPOB demonstrators.