• Two soldiers feared killed as gunmen set Army outpost ablaze
DAILY COURIER - Two soldiers were feared killed in Abia State yesterday during a sit-at-home declared by outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to mark Biafra Day.
The attack occurred at an army outpost at Obikabia junction in Aba North Local Government Area (LGA).
This comes after an Army outpost at Milverton by Asa road in Aba South LGA was attacked.
Hooded gunmen, dressed in black, struck at 10 am.
IPOB declared yesterday’s sit-at-home to remember those who fought in Nigeria-Biafra civil war (1967-1970).
It called for a regional lockdown to mark what it tagged Biafra Heroes Day.
It was learnt the soldiers were deployed from 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia, but were attached to 144 Battalion in Ukwa West LGA.
A resident, Henry Uzo, said the people of Umuola, Ukaegbu and Obikabia now live in fear following the incident.
He said are leaving their home for fear of reprisal.
Another resident, Gideon Achilihu, said: “The gunmen, about 12, pulled up in a black Prado and another SUV near the army checkpoint at 9 am.
“The vehicles had tinted glasses, so by the time the soldiers knew what was happening, it was already late.
“They made attempts to withstand the group but were overpowered.
“After the attack, they set the outpost and patrol van ablaze.
“A 25-year-old young man was hit by a stray bullet and was rushed to hospital after the gunmen left the scene.
“Residents live in fear. Others are packing out of homes.”
Vehicular movement was grounded in Abia. Banks, offices and markets were shut.
The incident prevented some pupils from sitting for general mathematics in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE).
In Anambra, security operatives in Anambra killed a suspected IPOB man while enforcing the order.
The incident occurred at Oba flyover in Idemili South LGA.
However, despite assurances by security agencies, people refused to come out.
Every road was empty – from Awka to Onitsha to Nnewi.
No market in Anambra opened for business.
Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, said IPOB members were intercepted while operating on motorbikes before they opened fire.
One miscreant was apprehended, while three evade capture, sustaining bullet injuries.
“The operatives recovered a local Barreta pistol, four expended cartridges, two phones, and incriminating evidence indicative of unpatriotic and disloyal behaviour towards the Nigeria.
“Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam, assures the people of Anambra State their safety remains priority of the command,” the PPRO said.
Pupils in Anambra sat for the examination despite the sit-at-home order.
Some were wearing plain clothes. Itam visited some schools to reassure the pupils.
Despite government’s assurances in Imo state, economic and social activities were grounded as residents complied with IPOB.
The vibrant streets and major roads were empty, with only a few individuals at bus stops.
Shops, stalls, markets, business premises were shut; people to trekked long distances.
Meanwhile, Imo students writing the SSCE sat for the examination. Some wore sweaters and ordinary attire on top of their uniforms to disguise.
There was total compliance in Ebonyi state where economic activities were grounded.
Banks, schools, offices, eateries, shopping malls and markets were locked.
There were few vehicles on the road belonging to individuals as parks were also shut.
A few commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists operated.
They were emboldened to come out due to the heavy presence of machine gun-welding security men in a convoy.
Despite the situation, pupils sat for the SSCE.
Economic activities came to a halt in Enugu State as residents stayed indoors.
Streets, roads and markets were deserted while business centres, petrol stations, banks, and malls were locked.
However, pupils trekked to their centres undisturbed.
Some civil servants walked to work as transporters withdrew services.
Security operatives were patrolling streets in ther vans.
Our reporter observed secondary schools, even private ones, had their pupils sit for exams without disturbance.
Uzodimma Condemns Soldiers’ killing in Abia, Wants Killers Unmasked
Imo State Governor and the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, On Thursday condemned the killing of soldiers in Aba, Abia State.
Earlier in the day, gunmen stormed the military unit at Obikabia Junction, Ogbor Hill area, and also burnt the unit as well as a patrol van parked in the unit. Some soldiers were alleged to have escaped the attack by the gunmen.
Hours later, Uzodimma briefed journalists in Owerri where he described the attack as unfortunate.
“On behalf of my brother governors in the South East Governors’ Forum, I condemn that incident and loss of the lives of soldiers who were on their duty posts,” he said.
He also asked security agencies to unmask the suspected killers of the slain soldiers who were on legitimate duty in the state.
“Without any provocation, they were attacked by the men of the underworld. I want to condemn that and also to urge security agents to go all out and ensure that those behind that are caught and brought to book.
“It is unfortunate that this happened. Without any reason, innocent people who were doing their lawful duty were burned down.
“The unfortunate thing is that it is going to act as a major setback to the peace process which the governors from the South East have been pursuing in talking to the Federal Government, security agencies, and other critical stakeholders on how best to resolve the problem of insecurity in the South-East,” he said.
Though the army and police authorities are yet to comment on the incident, the attack comes on the same day that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declared a sit-at-home in the South-East.
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