Sit-at-home: Four Feared Dead as Gunmen Attack Anambra Communities

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

About three communities in Anambra State were yesterday attacked by gunmen said to be enforcing the already abolished sit-at-home order previously declared by outlawed secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

At least five persons were reported dead in the attacks which happened in Abatete , Abagana and Ukpo communities.

Also, vehicles were set ablaze by the attackers who repeatedly warned people to respect the sit-at-home order.

The attacks happened between 8a.m. and 10a.m., as the casualties were mainly men of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG).

The first attack was said to have happened in Abatete town, targeting vigilance personnel attached to the town’s President-General (PG).

Three security men were shot and killed in the hail of bullets, while PG of the community was also critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.

In a separate incident, the gunmen attacked Abagana and Ukpo communities. At the Ukpo roundabout in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, one Vigilance Group member and a motorcycle rider were killed.

Terrified members of communities around Anambra Central have been sent into panic. A voice note circulating on social media warned people in Awka not to go outside, considering the proximity of the attacked communities to Awka, the state capital.

A member of Abatete community stated that: “We are praying for the recovery of our PG. This senseless violence has left our community shaken.”

Another member of Ukpo community stated on Facebook that: “It was chaos. The attackers came out from nowhere, shooting indiscriminately.  Shouting no Biafra, no freedom! We are still trying to process what happened.”

When THISDAY reached out to the state police authorities, the spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said: “The details are still sketchy, but our operatives are currently at the scene. I will get back to you with facts as soon as I can.”