An Army checkpoint in Abia State, South East Nigeria reportedly came under heavy attack by suspected gunmen in the morning hours of Thursday, with unconfirmed reports putting the casualties at five soldiers.
But, a separate source put the number shot dead at four, while one soldier is said to have escaped.
The incident occurred at the Obikabia junction in Obingwa, one of the Local Government Areas adjourning Aba metropolis.
Eyewitnesses claim, the attackers who were masked, also set ablaze a military van at the scene.
The attack comes on the day the proscribed separatist movement, the Indegenous People of Biafra, IPOB had purportedly declared May 30th, a sit-at-home action across the region, in commemoration of what it calls, “Biafra Heros Day”.
But, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
An amature video believed to have been recorded by a resident, which could not be independently verified by ait.live, captures Live actions of the incident.
In the video, a background voice could be heard lamenting the shooting of the soldiers at the checkpoint, amidst sporadic gunfire and setting ablaze of the military patrol vehicle.
There’s not been any official confirmation of the incident by the security agencies.
A telephone call to the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, was not answered, while the spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, promised to investigate the situation and provide details later.
Meanwhile, Aba the commercial city of Abia State appears to be on lockdown.
The usually heavy human and vehicular traffic at the popular Ariaria market and street trade around Aba metropolis were not noticed.
Also, Umuahia the State capital was calm and deserted as there were literally no vehicular and human movement around the city during the morning and early afternoon hours of Thursday.
Business owners remained indoors, as majorly all shops, government offices, banks, motor parks, schools and social centres remained shut.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
