The sit-at-home order by the factional group of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra led by Simon Ekpa, took a bloody turn at the weekend as the Police Command in Enugu State, said it has recovered four lifeless bodies of suspected fleeing sit-at-home enforcers who were overpowered and hit by bullets.
Some enforcers were also reported to have attacked a market located at Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state. Although no life was lost in the attack on traders, it was gathered that the gunmen, suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), set a tricycle and vehicles ablaze.
Also, the attackers destroyed some goods and properties of petty traders, who are mostly women.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen also attacked Obolo community in the same Local Government Area.
“The gunmen were angry with the traders and transporters for flouting the order.
“The attackers warned traders to close shop and never to flout the order, warning them not come out on Saturday.
“They went on to raze part of the market and burnt vehicles.” the source said.
The source said the gunmen shot indiscriminately into the air which made the traders scamper for safety.
Concerning the Enugu incident, the Police said in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday, that a combined team of tactical police operatives discovered and recovered the lifeless bodies of four of the male hoodlums, in a forest behind G. Ede Filling Station/7-Up, at Awkunanaw, Enugu, where they escaped into.
He said the development was sequel to the earlier report of operatives dislodging armed subversive criminal elements, who attempted to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order, in the early hours of Friday.
He said: “Recall that the Operatives intercepted the criminals at One-Day, Awkunanaw, Enugu, as they were snatching an ENTRACO branded Sharon minivan from its driver at gunpoint.
“They engaged the operatives in a gun duel, but escaped with varying degrees of fatal gunshot wounds, due to the superior firepower of the police operatives.
“Hence, a manhunt operation was launched, while a thorough search conducted on the vehicle led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with magazine loaded with 19 live ammunition of 7.62 calibres, two bottles of petrol bomb and other incriminating exhibits.”
Ndukwe said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Ammani, had reassured that police and other security agencies would not relent in their efforts to maintain maximum security for the law-abiding citizens, as they go about their lawful businesses.
“The commissioner, however, solicits residents’ continued support,” he added.
