PANIC IN ENUGU AS HOODLUMS FORCE MOTOR PARKS, MARKETS & SHOP ONWERS TO CLOSE

REPORTERS: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE & CHUKWUBUIKE MADU

Residents of Enugu metropolis were early morning today thrown into panic following reported cases of shootings in some parts of the city by some hoodlums said to be forcing a return to the Monday sit-at-home order, which had been cancelled by the proscribed Indeginous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Some shop owners, including filling stations, that were already opened for business, were forced to close due to the panic occasioned by the shootings.

According to report, the hoodlums were reportedly disrupting vehicular movement at Topland, Amechi Road, Ugwuaji, all in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

An eyewitness and bus driver, who pleaded anonymity, told Radio Nigeria that the gunmen, who were heavily armed with SMG riffles, came in three vehicles: a Seinna mini van, a Hilander SUV and a Lexus SUV and shoot sporadically at the Garriki-Topland axis.

There were also reports of shooting at the Holy Ghost-Ogbete Market axis in Enugu North Local Government Area, forcing traders and commercial vehicles, alongside their prospective passengers to desert their shops and motor parks.

Reacting, an Anglican Priest, and Vicar, Church of the Resurrection Power, New Heaven, Enugu, the Venerable Ken Ugwuagu, described the development as unfortunate, noting that destroying the economy of the zone was not the best way to go, especially now the people were returning home to resume their normal businesses after the Christmas and New Year breaks.

Also, the Parish Priest of All Saints Anglican Parish, GRA, Enugu, the Venerable Arinze Egemba, cautioned those involved in the ugly act to desist and give peace a chance, saying that a better method should be applied to settle the situation.

The Venerable Egemba said the people had suffered enough hardship due to harsh economic situation in the country.

He emphasized that the return of the sit-at-home order would further compound the problem of the people.

Initially, there was no security personnel in most of the areas visited by Radio Nigeria, except few military officers, who mounted road block on the Portharcourt-Enugu express way, until in the afternoon when military operatives began patrolling major roads in the city.

Sources said people around the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu deserted the area following rumours of gunshots.

It was a similar situation in Abakpa, Enugu East Local Government Area, as traders, commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators at Achi-akpa market and Liberty bus stop scampered for safety, as there were reports that the deadly hoodlums were on their way.

There were also unfirmed reports of shooting around new market, naira triangle, and thinkers corner.

The situation affected vehicles coming in from neighbouring states, including those from Ebonyi state, as some of the vehicles turned back to Abakaliki for safety.

Meanwhile, an helicopter was sighted hovering around Emene and Ugwuaji axis.