Posted by Samuel on Wed 10th May, 2023 - tori.ng
One of the vehicles was set ablaze around Ugwunwanosike while another, a tricycle was burnt beyond repairs within the commercial city.
The Nation reports that as many as three vehicles, including a tricycle have been burnt in Onitsha.
They were on Wednesday reportedly set ablaze by enforcers of sit-at-home directive in Onitsha, Anambra State.
One of the vehicles was set ablaze around Ugwunwanosike while another, a tricycle was burnt beyond repairs within the commercial city.
A group, which claimed to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had reportedly issued warnings, declaring sit-at-home in many communities across the state, particularly communities in Nnewi South Local Government Area and its environs.
Members of the group, were said to have stormed streets, parks and markets in the area to deliver their message.
The Nation gathered that the heavily-armed men stormed the Eke Ọsụ Market in Osumenyi and some other daily markets in the area with handbills, posters and other leaflets, distributing them to the people.
They warned the residents to stay tightly indoors from Monday, May 8, to Thursday, May 11, 2023, insisting there would be total LUCK DOWN in the entire Igbo land on those days.
One of the distributed handbills reads: “Notice! Notice!! Notice!!! THERE WILL BE TOTAL LUCK DAWN. In Biafra Land. Starting From 8TH, 9TH, 10TH, AND 11TH MAY, 2023 from 6.00am — 6.00pm each Day. BE WARNED.”
The group however, did not indicate the reason(s) behind the sit-at-home order, nor did it reveal the authority behind the declaration.
Reacting, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said calm had returned to the area following arrival of police operatives who put out the fire on the vehicles.
He said,: “Police responded swiftly which made the criminals 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 monitored.”