The capital of Ebonyi State, Abakaliki, experienced mayhem and anarchy on Monday as unidentified gunmen entered the State to impose the si…
When unidentified gunmen entered Ebonyi State’s capital city of Abakaliki on Monday to implement the sit-at-home order issued by Finland-based Simon Ekpa, there was an uproar and confusion.
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The state capital was reportedly completely deserted as residents fled for safety. Thousands of traders who had already opened their stores for business abruptly closed them out of fear of being killed.
The unidentified shooters entered Ahia-Ohuru Market, according to an eyewitness who gave his name as Chidebere, and began shooting sporadically to frighten off shoppers.
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 outside, 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 gathered that the popular Ebonyi International Market was abruptly closed, as well as all fuel stations in the State capital, shopping mall and other event centres in the State.
It was also gathered that the said gunmen reportedly killed some persons at Izziamgbo junction, Ishieke junction and other places in the State.
However, in a swift reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State command, CP. Aliyu Garba, who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, said there was no invasion by unknown gunmen in the State.
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He asked the citizens of the State to remain calm.
CP. Garba noted further that he had deployed hundreds of police officers to go on patrol, looking for the said unknown gunmen.
In a related development, the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has, in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, ordered the security operatives in the State to shoot at sight any civilian seen holding guns.
The Governor, in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Abakaliki, by the Commissioner for Information and State orientation, Mr Uchenna Orji, tasked traders to go back to their businesses.
