By Kamsi Anayo
Guns and other dangerous weapons-wielding youths on Wednesday, tried to disrupt economic activities in Onitsha, Anambra state.
A source said the youths, who were suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, burnt a commercial bus in Onitsha, claiming to be enforcing a sit-at-home directive.
The youths also burnt down a tricycle, while shooting into the air in Onitsha.
A message had last weekend been circulated on social media, stating that there will be a 4-day sit at home exercise in the south east, begining from Monday, May 8, to 11. No reason was given for the order.
But a press release by spokesperson of IPOB, Mr Emma Powerful stated that the group had announced May 30 as a day for all Biafrans to sit at home, in commemoration of Biafra day.
The burning of vehicles it was gathered had sent panic in Onitsha town, with a source saying that the enforcers were heading towards Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, by road.
But the state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the incident said the enforcers we’re confronted by police operatives, and they had long been dislodged.
He said: “Police responded swiftly which made the criminals to escape the scene. The hoodlums in an attempt to scare the residents from coming out to embark on their daily activities, stopped and set on fire commercial vehicles and tricycles plying the road.
“The residents courageously resisted the assailants and the fire has been put off by the police operatives and some people in the area. Meanwhile calm has returned to the area and the situation is under control and being monitored,” he said.