GUNMEN BURN CAR, MOTORCYCLES IN EBONYI COMMUNITY, ABAKALIKI RESIDENTS COMPLY WITH SIT AT HOME ORDER

REPORTER:AMECHI ODO

Gunmen suspected to be enforcing the five day sit at home order declared by a factional self styled Biafra separatist group have set ablaze a vehicle and some motorcycles at Nwakpu Market in Ndufu Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Eyewitness account reports that the gunmen, who were putting on black attire with a hood, stormed the market, which is few metres away from the state Deputy Governor’s House and Alex Ekwueme Federal University and shot many times in the air.

One person, said to be the driver of a vehicle set ablaze by the gunmen, was allegedly shot as he attempted to put out the fire.

The development disrupted activities in and around the market as traders and passers by fled the scene.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chris Anyanwu, explained that he was not aware of the incident and promised to get details.

On Monday, Abakaliki the state capital witnessed heavy pandemonium as rumour about the invasion of unknown gunmen spread round the town forcing residents to flee to their houses.

Meanwhile, there had been skeletal movements in Abakaliki on Wednesday as shop owners, banks and filing stations shut down their businesses in compliance with the sit-at-home order imposed by self styled the separatist group on the South East.

A drive round Abakaliki town showed that the streets and roads were empty as only few vehicles could be sighted.

The situation also affected International Market Abakaliki as traders refused to open their shops for transaction even though the gates of the market were opened.

Some government offices were also empty as many workers did not come to work.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU