Although IPOB had canceled the Monday sit-at-home order and had continued to assure residents of their safety and businesses, gunmen invaded parts of the state on Monday and burned some cars, and injured several people in the process of enforcing the sit-at-home directive.
However, banks, markets, government offices, schools, and other businesses were closed Wednesday, as residents hesitated to leave their houses for commercial or social activities for fear of being attacked.
At Obollo-Afor, headquarters of Udenu Council, masked gunmen enforcing the suspended sit-at-home order, attacked some residents, who tried to open their businesses.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, who came into the town on motorcycles, were seen beating up traders, who opened their shops, while other residents were said to have scampered for safety as the hoodlums chased them with whips.
The hoodlums also burnt a tricycle, otherwise called Keke NAPEP, whose driver tried to convey passengers around the town.
It was learned that members of Udenu Central Neighbourhood Watch also fled on sighting the gunmen, while a Toyota Sienna car belonging to the group was destroyed in the attack.
One of the traders said he had a close shave with the gunmen and was yet to recover from the incident.
“They had guns, knives, and whips with which they dispersed people. They didn’t shoot at anybody. Their faces were covered. I am still in shock. I thought they would attack me since my shop was open when they passed. I later heard they were beating some people and asking others to go home,” the trader said.
Another eyewitness said a military team arrived in the town around 8:30a.m. and patrolled the area to ensure that normalcy was restored.
The sit-at-home is expected to continue today as IPOB had officially asked residents to stay indoors as a mark of solidarity for its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, whose trial comes up today in court.
Although the trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja is scheduled to resume tomorrow, IPOB claimed in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, that there will be no lockdown in the South East and that residents should go about their daily lives.
