The hoodlums who stormed the area around 10am, reportedly freed some detainees before setting the facility on fire.
A resident of the area who simply identified himself as Emenike Frank told reporters that the protest started from the Old Market Road in the commercial city before culminating at the police station.
He said no fewer than ten persons lost their lives during the protest.
He said, “Some protesters arrived at about 10 am on Thursday, shot sporadically in the air before setting the station on fire, after freeing those detained in the police cell.
“Yes, the 3-3 station is now on fire. I am already at the scene. About ten persons died during the midnight protest around the Old Market Road in Onitsha.
“At about 10am today, they shifted to 3-3 area and got the police station burnt,” he reported.
There was no official report from the state Police command over the development .
Meanwhile, there was panic buying in various markets in Onitsha, Nnewi and other major cities in the state following a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state governor Chief Willie Obiano.
Residents of the areas rushed to the markets to stockpile their food banks in preparation for the indefinite curfew.