There is fear and unrest in Anambra as gunmen, suspected to be enforcers of a sit-at-home order, unleashed violence in parts of the state.
ANN reports that in a video that has gone viral, the assailants were seen chasing traders at the bustling Nkpor junction near Onitsha and Igbariam, located in close proximity to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University campus.
Reports have it that frightened parents, who had earlier dropped off their children at schools, hastily returned to retrieve them.
There was sound of gunfire through various parts of the region, prompting the immediate closure of filling stations and markets in Awka and Onitsha. The gunmen pursued motorcyclists, tricycle operators, private cars, and shuttle buses as they moved from the Awkuzu junction towards the Igbariam campus.
Reports indicate that these gunmen are enforcing the controversial one-week sit-at-home order declared by a faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Simon Ekpa, the leader of Autopilot, a faction of IPOB, previously announced the sit-at-home period, which was slated to take place from July 3rd to July 5th, with a subsequent continuation from July 7th to July 10th.
Traders and buyers at Onitsha Main Market, Anambra running for fear of IPOD/ESN today!!
God save our land! pic.twitter.com/P7kgrKBv0V
— David Offor (@DavidsOffor) July 7, 2023
