Sit-At-Home: Chaos As Unknown Gunmen Wreck Havoc In Abakaliki

Palpable fear and pandemonium seem to be rocking the Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State as residents of the State were seen running from one location to the other, following the enforcement of sit at home order by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB in the State.
Following the development, Keke riders, commuters, motorcyclists and other road users were seen on top speed racing to any safe location within the State.

Most residents, who had left their homes in the early hours of Monday, made frantic efforts to seek refuge in any nearby compound or residential area, so as not to be victims of any circumstance.

It that gathered that there was confusion in some popular markets, including Ahia-ofu, Kpirikpiri, the International market and the Ebebe market in Abakaliki.

It was learnt that IPOB members were seen around Ebebe market allegedly shooting sporadically, which made passersby to starting running for safety.

A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said roads in the state have been deserted as motorists and commuters fled for safety.

According to report, number of persons were allegedly killed, following the enforcement by IPOB.

The incident led to killings in Ahia ofu as many were seen running around waterworks road, mbukogbe, Ezza Road, Udensi Street as unknown made efforts to ensure that the sit-at-home order was adhered to by the resident of the State.

Vanguard gathered that customers, who went to the United Bank for Africa, UBA, for the financial transaction were trapped in the bank for fear of becoming victims.

A resident of Abakaliki (names withheld) while narrating his ordeal said: “I am taking refuge in a hotel now. I went to buy a recharge card opposite the government house when I saw people running helter-skelter.

“When I drove towards the place called Ahia-ofu, I saw one Siena bus that was shattered. There was nobody there. I saw a few people standing afar off. I left to the international market where I carried some people. When I got there I saw people coming out in their numbers from the market and running helter skelter,” the source said.

“There is no particular group I can attribute it to. I believe people got scared by the gunshots and started panicking. As it is, the whole of Abakaliki is dry.”

Another resident said “there is panic in the town”, adding that people are running into hiding.

It’s an hour plus ago. Some alleged unknown gunmen who came around to enforce probably the sit-at-home order and as news could carry it, the whole thing spread across that some shops were said to have been locked forcefully and some areas said to have been set ablaze,” he said.

“Everybody is hiding because according to the story, they were stationed at different locations, so you wouldn’t know where you would run toward to avoid getting ambushed.”

Chris Anyanwu, police spokesperson in Ebonyi, did not respond to calls and text messages to comment on the incident