Files: Deserted Coal Camp, Enugu State, during the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) recently.
There was pandemonium in Enugu State, yesterday, following reports of shooting by unknown gunmen, who allegedly invaded the town to enforce a one-week sit-at-home order by Simeon Ekpa-led Biafra independence agitators.
The group had said the order was part of efforts to secure the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.
Enugu residents had defied the order after the state government threatened to close down markets, schools and other institutions that comply with the restriction.
The gunmen launched attacks in major areas of the state capital, forcing many residents to scamper for safety.
The Guardian observed that affected places included Artisan, Emene, New Haven, Abakpa, Agbani Road, and the NOWAS area, in Transekulu and Maryland.
The hoodlums reportedly stormed the popular artisan market in a Hilux van.
A similar incident was experienced in the Agbani Road area, as the gunmen shot sporadically around Amokwe Bus Stop and major markets to scare people away.
It was learned that they also stormed the Orie Emene market with motorcycles, shooting in the process. The streets and major roads soon became empty.
In one of the primary schools in Enugu West, it was gathered that pupils getting ready to sit for their First School Leaving Certificate examination were prevented by the hoodlums.
It was learned that the students, together with their teachers, were laid on the floor and given strokes of the cane for disobeying the sit-at-home directive.
Banks, schools, and markets, which had opened for business, were forced to close. Some parents rushed to schools to take their wards back home.
While the pandemonium lasted, joint teams of police and soldiers patrolled and took positions at strategic locations in the city. Police armored tanks and military helicopters were also rolled out to check uprisings.
When normalcy was restored, most people did not return to their businesses. Banks, which had closed, did not reopen, as roads remained deserted with few commercial and private cars operating.
But the state government assured residents of their safety, stressing that the ban on sit-at-home in the state subsists.
The group had said the order was part of efforts to secure the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.
Enugu residents defied the order after the state government threatened to close down markets, schools, and other institutions that comply with the restriction.
The gunmen launched attacks in major areas of the state capital, forcing many residents to scamper for safety.
The Guardian observed that affected places included Artisan, Emene, New Haven, Abakpa, Agbani Road, and the NOWAS area, in Transekulu and Maryland.
The hoodlums reportedly stormed the popular artisan market in a Hilux van.
A similar incident was experienced in the Agbani Road area, as the gunmen shot sporadically around Amokwe Bus Stop and major markets to scare people away.
It was learned that they also stormed the Orie Emene market with motorcycles, shooting in the process. The streets and major roads soon became empty.
In one of the primary schools in Enugu West, it was gathered that pupils getting ready to sit for their First School Leaving Certificate examination were prevented by the hoodlums.
It was learned that the students, together with their teachers, were laid on the floor and given strokes of the cane for disobeying the sit-at-home directive.
Banks, schools, and markets, which had opened for business, were forced to close. Some parents rushed to schools to take their wards back home.
While the pandemonium lasted, joint teams of police and soldiers patrolled and took positions at strategic locations in the city. Police armored tanks and military helicopters were also rolled out to check uprisings.
When normalcy was restored, most people did not return to their businesses. Banks, which had closed, did not reopen, as roads remained deserted with few commercial and private cars operating.
But the state government assured residents of their safety, stressing that the ban on sit-at-home in the state subsists.
The Guardian
