There were pandemonium amid sporadic shootings in some parts of Enugu State capital, Enugu, on Monday as gunmen took over some major streets to enforce the resumption of the weekly ‘sit-at-home order’ which the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had originally introduced to portest the detention and trial of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Also in Ekwulobia, headquarters of Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, gunmen took over the burstling Ekwulobia Roundabout in the early hours of Monday morning, shooting into the air.
Heavy gun shots were heard around Ekwulobia/Oko boundary early in morning around 6.10 am. Oko is the hometown of the late former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme and also the location of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.
A vehicle was burnt in the middle of the road just before dawn with the burning fires glowing the early morning darkness.
Although IPOB had repeatedly announced the cancellation of the sit-at-home order, normal commercial and government activities in South East Nigeria has been disrupted and dying since the group first enforced the move.
Sources confirmed that the gunmen drove in an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna car, disrupting vehicular movement at Topland, Amechi Road, Mayor Bus-Stop on Agbani Road within Enugu South Local government, shooting sporadically into the air. They dispersed road users and set vehicles on fire.
Another group of heavily armed men numbering over 50 were on procession in other parts of Enugu, telling residents “to close their shops, obey Monday Sit at home or face the consequences.”
A trader who sells provisions at Mayor market said he quickly locked up his shop and escaped, adding that the miscreants came at about some minutes to 9am.
A lady who identified herself as Mummy Ifeanyi said: “I had gone to Mayor market to buy few provisions for my children’s breakfast. Then suddenly, there were shootings and bullets were flying every where. I have been hearing of war… This is my first experience of what it looks like. What if one bullet had hit me on the head; that’s how my life would have ended in this January 2022? Please, help me thank God as I returned alive. I have to run the way I have never done before.”
A female trader, who sells food items, said, “The gunmen came suddenly and started shooting into the air. They said they’re enforcing the sit-at-home and burnt a vehicle and a keke that was on the road.”
Unconfirmed report said that two persons lost their lives on Agbani Road, Enugu during the incident.
The miscreants were also reported to have stormed NOWAS Junction in the Trans- Ekulu Area of Enugu East Local Government, forcing people to run for their lives.
Besides, the gunmen were said to have fired shots in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Ogbette Main Market area, Naira Triangle, Thinkers Corner, Garki Awkunanaw, among other areas.
Ada Uka, who sells female shoes at Ogbette market said that she could not go to her shop because of the confusion amid the shootings.
When contacted, the State Police Spokesperson, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said he would get back to our reporter. He, however, could not confirm or deny the incident.
