By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
In what looks like a violent return of hostilities, gunmen enforcing Monday sit at home order have killed four persons in Ukpo and Abatete communities in Dunukofia and Idemili North local government areas of Anambra state.
It was gsthered that the early morning attack on Arthur Eze community also left no fewer than seven persons injured while one Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV and motorcycles were set ablaze.
The attack occurred few metres away from the Zone 13 of the Nigeria Police Force zonal headquarters, Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra State.
Monday attack signalled the resurgence of sit-at-home many weeks after Governor Chukwuma Soludo had declared an end to it by officially embarking on a Campaign against the exercise in the commercial city of Onitsha and other major cities of the state.
In obvious defiance to Soludo’s order, traders in the commercial cities of Onitsha, Nnewi and even the capital city, Awka, had kept their shops under lock and key though some in local communities were seen opening their shops for businesses.
Apparently irked by the situation, the gunmen stormed Ukpo roundabout at 9.40am on Monday, and opened fire at security men on sight while re echoing the sit at home warcry.
An eyewitness who recorded the incident shortly after the attack disclosed that the gunmen were shouting on top of their voices ‘sit at home, no Nnamdi Kanu, no peace, sit at home on Monday or die like a fowl and we don’t want federal government security in our land” among others.
After the attack that lasted for over 30 minutes, the gunmen burnt a Siena bus belonging to Ukpo Vigilance Service and two other vehicles before fleeing the scene unchallenged leaving behind body of their victim lying on the major road in a pool of his own blood.
However, it was not known if it was the same gang that attacked Ukpo that also unleashed another mayhem in Abatete community, Idemili North Council area of Anambra State where three persons were reportedly killed by unknown gunmen.
It was gathered that between 8am and 10am, gunmen stormed Abatete town allegedly targeting security personnel attached to the Town Union President-General (names withheld).
In the ensuing attacks, three security men were shot by the gunmen who immediately set their operational vehicle on fire.
An eyewitness of Abatete attack disclosed that the PG, whose identity has not been disclosed, was critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.
“We are praying for his recovery. This senseless violence has left our community shaken. These incidents occurred within a two-hour window, with the first attack happening at 8:00 am in Abatete and the second at 9:45 am in Ukpo,” a source said.
Meanwhile, Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO SP, SP Toochukwu Ikenga said the details of the attack were still sketchy.
He said operatives were at the scene of the incident to commence investigation and promised to get back with full details.
