Eight people were killed as the as the ‘Ghost Monday’ sit-at-home order handed down by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) recorded total compliance in the five States of Nigeria’s South East region.
The four deaths were recorded as hoodlums wreaked havoc in Anambra and Imo States, killing four policemen and four other persons.
The gunmen, suspected to be members of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network (ESN) went on a shooting spree in Anambra State, attacking the Nigeria Police Area Command, Nnewi, killing four Police personnel.
The invasion of the Police Command headquarters occurred few hours after a joint security patrol team allegedly killed two persons suspected to be members of IPOB’S ESN who were enforcing the group’s sit-at-home directives in the area.
According to a source, “many policemen were wounded in the attack and were rushed to the hospital. I think four of our men lost their lives in the attack.
“What I’m telling you is unofficial report. The PPRO will brief soonest. It was terrible; these guys (hoodlums) came in seven vehicles.
“There were speculations that the hoodlums came for reprisal following the early morning killing of two persons by unidentified soldiers (joint patrol team) in Nnewi. I didn’t know about that incident until we were attacked at the Area Command this (Monday) afternoon.”
Another source confirmed that the gunmen came in seven vehicles and overpowered the Police personnel on duty, carting away arms and ammunition.
He added, “The gunmen overpowered the Police and carted away their arms. By the time reinforcement from the Navy came, the attackers had left, though they were pursued to no avail.”
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident.
Apart from the four cops killed at Nnewi Police Area Command, two persons were shot dead in Nnewi, while three buses were set ablaze in the area.
A Toyota Camry was seen abandoned on a street near the scene of the crime when the occupant saw that the hoodlums were advancing towards his direction.
“They were singing and shouting, ‘Today is sit-at-home. Anything sighted, even if it’s a fly must be destroyed’. There were gunshots around Izuchukwu Park junction around 6am.”
And in Imo State, five vehicles, comprising of three Hummer buses belonging to Libra and Okey Transport companies, a Sienna and a Highlander SUV were set ablaze at Nkwo Ogwu, Aboh-Mbaise, along the Owerri-Umuahia Road.
Scores of the occupants of the vehicles, who were travelling to Lagos and others returning to Imo State from Lagos, escaped with some carrying bullet injuries.
Residents of the area confirmed that the vehicles were destroyed and two persons burnt to death at on Monday morning and that drivers of the commercial vehicles were seriously hit by the attackers.
An elderly man, Pa Johnson, whose house is opposite the scene, confirmed that the incident happened around 4:30am.
The octogenarian disclosed that they were jolted by the deafening sound of intermittent gunshots.
He said, “The incident happened around 4:30am. The military came here around 11am. This is disturbing; the people were travellers.”
The police spokesperson in the state, Mike Abattam, confirmed the attack when he was contacted.
Meanwhile, there was total compliance to the sit-at-home home order in Nnewi and Onitsha areas of Anambra State as banks, shops and markets were under lock and key.
In Awka, the State capital, the major Eke Awka market and banks were shut, but some street shops were opened while vehicular movements were not impeded.
In Umuahia, major streets witnessed scanty movements of human beings and vehicles, while at Aba, there was a total lockdown of movement of both commuters and motorists.
In Aba, Obinna Degree, a businessman and astute politician noted, “We are indoors. At Faulks Road, there is no movement, no keke and no motor on the road.”
However, commercial activities came to a standstill on Monday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as residents complied with the sit-at-home order declared by IPOB.
Banks and other corporate offices, markets failed to open, while only employees of the state and federal governments attended work.
Also, social and commercial activities were grounded in some parts of the Asaba, as Okwe and Akwebulu Oko areas witnessed a total shutdown.
In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, businesses, including shops, schools and banks, were shut down, on Monday, as residents obeyed the sit-at-home.
