Gunmen suspected to be enforcers of a sit-at-home order imposed by a faction of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) have carried out attacks in Imo State, resulting in the death of a commercial tricyclist and a passer-by in the Akwakuma area of Owerri North Local Council.
Over the weekend, unidentified hoodlums also set part of a local market in Amaraku ablaze, as well as burning vehicles in Isiala Mbano Local Council. Reports indicate that the attackers targeted those who did not comply with the sit-at-home directive.
The same group of assailants set fire to merchandise at Obolo Market in the same local council, claiming that they had previously warned the victims.
Eyewitnesses describe the gunmen as dangerous and witnessed them shooting sporadically into the air as they arrived at the bustling Akwakuma Junction in a Sienna vehicle. The tricyclist was fatally shot in the chest, and a passer-by was also hit and later died.
As of now, the State Police Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, has not responded to the incident despite attempts to reach him.
