Residents of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, were this Monday thrown into fear and panic following rumours that gunmen had invaded parts of the city.
The apprehension was heightened as unconfirmed reports of killings and burning of property within the metropolis spread, forcing businesses to shut down, while motorists, tricycle and motorcycle operators withdrew from the roads.
People were seen scampering for their safety and within a few minutes, the city became a ghost area.
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Eyewitnesses who spoke off camera say they heard that suspected gunmen were enforcing a five-day sit-at-home order issued a few days ago in a viral video by the self-acclaimed factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Simon Ekpa.
A reliable source confirmed to ait.live that a gang of hoodlums had invaded a popular Ahiaofuru market, located along the Abakaliki – Enugu Highway, where they attacked a provision shop causing a stir around the axis, but no life was lost.
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Reacting to the development, both the Police and the State government, dismissed the incidents, describing the reports as a false alarm, while calling on residents to go about their lawful businesses without fear.
ait.live monitored the situation in Abakaliki and observed that normalcy was gradually returning to the city, at the time of filing this report
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
