GUNMEN STORM ANAMBRA COMMUNITY TO ENFORCE BIAFRA DAY ORDER, EXCHANGE FIRE WITH SECURITY OPERATIVES

Read Time:2 Minute, 20 Second

By: Muftau Fatimo

Armed men riding motorcycles and carrying AK-47 rifles reportedly stormed Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday, compelling residents and traders to shut their shops in observance of Biafra Day.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had designated May 30 as Biafra Day, an annual event held to commemorate those who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War.

According to an eyewitness, the group, said to be about five in number, arrived in the community at approximately 10 a.m. on motorcycles and moved around urging business owners to close their shops in honour of victims of the war.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had designated May 30 as Biafra Day, an annual event held to commemorate those who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War.

The source said their arrival caused a huge stir in the community, with shop owners hurriedly shutting down for the day.

He said: “At first, the men were not violent. They just urged people to close, telling them they could reopen by 4 p.m. But because of panic, people were running helter-skelter.

They later left on their motorcycles, but we subsequently started hearing heavy gunfire and everyone began running. We learnt that they were confronted by operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit, resulting in a fierce gun battle.

“Throughout today, there have been gunshots. It ceased at a point because we learnt that the Agunechemba operatives overpowered them, but later this evening, we learnt the gunmen regrouped and returned to confront the security operatives.

“They had been shooting from this evening until about an hour ago. Everyone is afraid and people have retreated into their homes for fear of being hit by stray bullets. Everywhere is deserted as I speak to you, and we do not know what will happen tonight,” the terrified source stated.

It was not immediately clear whether the incident resulted in any casualties, while the identities of the armed men had yet to be officially established.

Efforts to reach Comrade Nweke Nweke, spokesperson for the Agunechemba Security Outfit, for comments proved unsuccessful, as his phone lines could not be reached.

As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.