On Monday, there was anarchy and chaos in Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi State, as unknown gunmen invaded the state to enforce the sit-in declared by Finland-based Simon Ekpa.
The state capital was completely deserted as citizens fled for safety, and thousands of traders who had already opened their shops for business were forced to close due to fear of being killed.
According to an eyewitness, Chidebere, the unknown gunmen invaded Ahia-Ohuru Market and began shooting sporadically to scare people away.
According to him:
“People who were around saw the unknown gunmen who rode on two motorcycles, with guns. They were shooting anyhow to scare people away. They even burnt down a shop belonging to a woman. They saw the woman bringing out her goods, they met her and told her to close the shop.
“The woman was asking them, what offense did she commit? Before you knew it, they poured fuel on the shop and set it ablaze. They were four in number.”
Similarly, it was reported that the popular Ebonyi International Market, as well as all fuel stations in the state capital, shopping malls, and other event centers in the state, were abruptly closed.
It was also reported that the gunmen killed people at Izziamgbo junction, Ishieke junction, and other locations throughout the state.
However, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP. Aliyu Garba, who spoke to journalists in Abakaliki, said there was no invasion by unknown gunmen in the state.
He urged the state’s citizens to remain calm.
CP. Garba went on to say that he had deployed hundreds of police officers to go on patrol in search of the alleged unknown gunmen.
In a related development, the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has directed security operatives in the state to shoot at sight any civilian seen with a gun, in accordance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.
The Governor directed traders to return to their businesses in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Abakaliki by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr Uchenna Orji.