Anastasia Okechukwu ReportingÂ
A group of armed men, suspected to be members of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) on Wednesday, set ablaze no fewer than three vehicles, including a tricycle in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The group, claiming to be enforcing a sit-at-home directive, was said to had issued warnings, declaring sit-at-home in many communities across the state, particularly communities in Nnewi South Local Government Area.
It was also reported that the group stormed the Eke Ọsụ Market in Osumenyi and some other daily markets in the area with handbills, posters and other leaflets, distributing them to the people.
They warned the residents to stay tightly indoors from Monday, May 8, to Thursday, May 11, 2023, insisting there would be total LUCK DOWN in the entire Igbo land on those days without stating the reason behind the sit-at-home order, not reveal the authority behind the declaration.
One of the distributed handbills reads: “Notice! Notice!! Notice!!! THERE WILL BE TOTAL LUCK DAWN. In Biafra Land. Starting From 8TH, 9TH, 10TH, AND 11TH MAY, 2023 from 6.00am — 6.00pm each Day. BE WARNED.”
Reacting, the state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said police operatives confronted the enforcers, and they had long been dislodged.
He said, “Police responded swiftly which made the criminals escape the scene. The hoodlums in an attempt to scare the residents from coming out to embark on their daily activities, stopped and set on fire commercial vehicles and tricycles plying the road.
“The residents courageously resisted the assailants and the fire has been put off by the police operatives and some people in the area.
“Meanwhile calm has returned to the area and the situation is under control and monitored.”