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From Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki
There was pandemonium in Ebonyi State yesterday as gunmen terrorised Abakaliki and its environs and allegedly set some markets ablaze in a bid to enforce the sit-at-home order.
The gunmen shot sporadically during their operations which made people run for safety.
The panic caused banks and business operators to hurriedly shut their shops. It was said that the gunmen killed some people in the Ahiaofuu and Ezzamgbo areas of the state.
A resident of Abakaliki and journalist, Ogochukwu Anioke, who was coming out of his house for work said, “the town is rowdy right now. I had to go back to my house as I saw everybody driving back and running away”.
Another resident said: “I am taking refuge in a hotel now. I went to buy a recharge card opposite the government house when I saw people running helter-skelter.
“People hurriedly parked their things inside their shops while traffic policemen on duty opposite government houses 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,” he advised.
However, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Chris Anyanwu, in a message said there was no cause for alarm.
“Rumours of killings/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 updates/briefs, please,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State government yesterday said the commotion that occurred in different parts of the state was orchestrated and escalated by unscrupulous elements to cause panic and apprehension in the state. Special Security Consultant to the government, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, said this in a statement.
He said: “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.
“No life was lost as being circulated by rumour mongers and enemies of the state.
“Again, 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, rest assured that our men are tracking down on them, and very soon, they will be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.”
