Soldiers allegedly surround IPOB leader's home

A detachment of the Nigerian Army has allegedly surrounded the home of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

According to a report by The Punch, the soldiers arrived in Umuahia with about 10 Armoured Carrier Vehicles and seven Hilux vans to surround Kanu's Afaraukwu compound on Tuesday, September 12, 2017.

Photos and videos have emerged online showing soldiers in the surrounding area of Kanu's compound as Daily Post reported that it has been confirmed by IPOB's spokesperson, Emma Powerful.

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This incident is coming only days after soldiers clashed with members of IPOB while trying to gain access to the group's leader's house on Sunday, September 10.

While reports indicated that soldiers had tried to gain access into Kanu's father's compound and shot at IPOB members who formed a human shield to keep them out, the army has dismissed the claims and said the soldiers had been attacked with stones while passing through the residence in a new armoured carrier.

ALSO READ: 'They're provoking us to war', Nnamdi Kanu accuses Army

While reacting to the incident on Monday, September 11, Kanu accused Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, of trying to incite his group into arming themselves to deliberately provoke a war.

He said, "Nigeria is bringing war to us, we're not fighting anybody. It is Buratai and his men that are bringing war unto us.

"They want us to become armed so that the world can say that Nnamdi Kanu is leading a violent armed group, which is not the case.

"They're provoking us to war."

The IPOB leader also maintained that the only way to end the group's agitation for an independent Biafra is through a referendum.