Gunmen, believed to be enforcing a sit-at-home order, unleashed mayhem on Amaraku market in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday night, leaving destruction in their wake.
Reports indicate that a commercial bus and several motorcycles were set ablaze by the assailants.
An eyewitness account revealed that the gunmen, driven by anger over the traders’ defiance of the one-week sit-at-home directive issued by Biafra agitators, resorted to indiscriminate shooting as they arrived at the scene.
Panic and chaos ensued as passengers were forcefully ejected from the commercial bus, which was subsequently set ablaze. Motorcycles were also targeted and destroyed in the attack.
The witness further disclosed that the gunmen issued a stern warning, declaring that anyone who dared to visit the market on Saturday, July 8, 2023, would face dire consequences.
The assailants expressed their frustration at the recurring disobedience of the weekly sit-at-home order by the people of Amaraku.
“The gunmen stormed the area, creating a scene of chaos by firing their weapons indiscriminately. They forcefully expelled passengers from a commercial bus and set it on fire. Motorcycles were not spared either,” the source recounted.
“They repeatedly shouted, ‘Amaraku, no dey hear word,’ as they made it clear that those who disregarded the sit-at-home order would face severe repercussions.
They cautioned against venturing to the market tomorrow,” the source added.
Responding swiftly to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Henry Okoye, assured the public that the situation was under control and that the police had taken necessary measures to ensure adequate security.
