On Monday, there was anarchy and turmoil in Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi State, as unknown gunmen stormed the state to enforce the sit-at-home called by Finland-based Simon Ekpa.
According to Anaedoonline.ng, the state capital was completely abandoned as inhabitants fled for safety, while thousands of traders who had already opened their stores for business quickly stopped due to fear of being slain.
According to an eyewitness, Chidebere, the mysterious gunmen invaded Ahia-Ohuru Market and began shooting irregularly to scare people away.
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According to him: “People who were around saw the unknown gunmen who rode on two motorcycles, with guns. They were shooting anyhow to scare people away. They even burnt down a shop belonging to a woman. They saw the woman bringing out her goods, they met her and told her to close the shop.
“The woman was asking them, what offense did she commit? Before you knew it, they poured fuel on the shop and set it ablaze. They were four in number.”
Similarly, it was reported that the famed Ebonyi International Market, as well as all fuel stations in the state capital, shopping malls, and other event centers in the state, were unexpectedly shuttered.
It was also alleged that the gunmen killed people at Izziamgbo intersection, Ishieke junction, and other locations throughout the state.
However, the Commissioner of Police for the Ebonyi State Command, CP Aliyu Garba, speaking to reporters in Abakaliki, said there has been no incursion by unknown gunmen in the state.
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He urged the state’s inhabitants to remain calm.
CP, Garba went on to say that he had dispatched hundreds of police officers to go on patrol in search of the alleged unknown gunmen.
In a similar event, the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has directed security officers in the state to shoot at sight any civilian spotted with a gun, in accordance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.
The Governor directed traders to return to their enterprises in a statement signed and made accessible to journalists in Abakaliki by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr Uchenna Orji.
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