Reports from Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria say gunmen suspected to be enforcing a five-day sit-at-home order declared by a factional leader of the Proscribed Indegenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Simon Ekpa, have launched another deadly attack on a local market, killing at least one person on Wednesday.
The latest incident comes after several unconfirmed attacks last Monday on markets and business areas in Abakaliki, the State capital and other neighbouring areas.
The Wednesday attack reportedly occurred at the Nwakpu Market in Ndufu Alike, Ikwo Local Government Area, a location just a few metres away from the home of the State Deputy Governor, and the main gate of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University.
Videos obtained by ait.live showed scenes of motorcycles in flames, as people apparently traders and buyers at the market, scampered to safety, though ait.live could not independently verify them.
An eyewitness narrated that the suspected gunmen, who were dressed on black attires with hood, stormed the market around afternoon, shooting sporadically to disperse the traders and shop owners.
Also read:Tension in Ebonyi over rumoured gunmen attack
According to the source, the gunmen later set ablaze a vehicle and some motorcycles, explaining that while the owner of the vehicle attempted to put out the fire, the hoodlums shot him on the hip and leg.
Another account said the gunmen stormed the market, carted away two motorcycles and in the process, shot one of the owners to death as the deceased struggled to recover his motorcycle.
The Ebonyi State Police spokesman, SP Chris Anyanwu, confirmed the incident on phone, but did not give details.
The sit-at-home order saw business activities partially paralysed, within and outside Abakaliki, the State capital on Wednesday, the last day of the civil action.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
