There was panic in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State on Monday following rumors of gunmen invasion of the city causing residents to run for their lives.
Residents opened for normal business activities when rumours of the invasion by gurnmen said to be implementing the five-day sit-at-home declared by pro-separatist groups in the southeast filtered in.
The sit-at-home, which was denied by Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), was said to have been declared by Finland-based Simon Ekpa.
The situation led to a rowdy situation in the city with traders forced to close their shops and retire to their homes.Many others took refuge in hotels and anywhere they could find or fear of running into the gunmen.
Ababaliki was fully deserted as citizens scampered for safety while thousands of traders abruptly closed their shops for fear of being killed.
An eyewitness, Chidebere, said the gunmen invaded Ahia-Ohuru market and started 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 outside, 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.”
A source, who pleaded anonymity said he had to run into a hotel to take refuge.
“I am taking refuge in a hotel now. I went to buy a recharge card opposite government house when I saw people running.
“People hurriedly parked their things inside their shops while traffic Policemen on duty opposite government house immediately changed their clothes.
“I drove out of that area following heavy gunshots to Kpirikpiri where the road is deserted. People have parked their things inside their shops along that old Enugu road. If you are still in your houses, remain there until calm returns”, the source said.
Videos and pictures seen on social media showed people running in different directions.
Another source said he had to run to a friend’s house for safety on hearing gunshots.
“I am also taking refuge at my friend’s abode. I ran from site(mechanic village), just before Spera-in-doe junction, I heard gunshots and people were running for safety. I managed to get to Agwu street from convent road”, the source said.
But Police spokesperson , Chris Anyanwu debunked allegations of shootings by gunmen in the city.
In a terse message he said: “Rumours of killing/burning within the metropolis renting the air.There is no cause for alarm. Ebonyi State is calm. However, if anything in the contrary is confirmed, I will come up with update/briefs, pls.”
Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, Aliyu Garba said there was no invasion by gunmen in the State.
He asked the citizens of the State to remain calm.
Garba noted further that he had deployed hundreds of police officers to go on patrol, looking for the said unknown gunmen.
But Ebonyi State Government confirmed the attack by gunmen on a provision shop at Ahịa Ofu market.
Special Security Consultant (SSC) to the State Government, Stanley Okoro Emegha, stated this in a statement.
He urged the people to go about their businesses as the city is safe and under control of security agencies
“This is to inform all Government officials, civil servants as well as the general public to confidently go about their lawful engagements as what just happened in Ebonyi State was misconstrued and escalated by unscrupulous elements to cause panic and apprehension among the peace loving people”.
“For clarity purposes, it was a gang of hoodlums that invaded Ahiaofuru along Abakaliki/Enugu Highway where they partially attacked a provision shop causing a stir around the axis,” he said.
Emegha noted that no life was lost as being circulated by rumour mongers and enemies of the state.
He said all Government functions still stand as scheduled because the state is fully and absolutely under control.
“The men of Ebubeagu and other security agencies have been drafted to strategic locations while others are on patrol to further secure the citizens and their properties.
“Please, be rest assured that our men are tracking down on them and very soon they will be arrested and prosecuted according to the law”, he said. Ends
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