The tension in Abia State worsened on Thursday morning following indications of a worsening security situation.

Reports from the troubled state said that unknown persons on Wednesday night set ablaze the Ariaria Market Police Station, Aba, despite the dusk to dawn (6pm-6am) curfew imposed on commercial hub by the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

Tension has been high in Abia since soldiers massed in Aba and Umuahia, the state capital, on Sunday, purportedly in a bid to apprehend separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, a Prince of Umuahia whose Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) is spearheading the campaign to restore the shortlived Republic of Biara.

The Nigerian Army has denied that the troops are in Umuahia to apprehend Kanu but the denial has not helped to douse he tension.