Masked gunmen have in the early hours of Monday attacked traders and residents of Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
It was gathered that the attackers were trying to enforce the suspended IPOB sit-at-home order.
According to eyewitnesses, the armed men who rode into the commercial town on several motorcycles were seen beating traders who had opened their shops for business. Other residents were seen scampering to safety as the gunmen chased them with whips.
It was gathered that members of Udenu Central Neighbourhood Watch ran away on sighting the gunmen as a Toyota Sienna car belonging to the group was destroyed in the operation.
One of the traders said that he had a close shave with the gunmen and was yet to recover from the incident.
The trader said, “They had guns, knives and whips with which they dispersed people. They didn’t shoot at anybody. Their faces were covered. I am still shaking from the shock. I thought they would attack me since my shop was open at the time they passed. Later on, I heard they were beating some people and asking others to go back home.”
Another eyewitness said that a military team arrived at the town around 8:30 am and they are currently patrolling the area to ensure that normalcy is restored.
Also, major roads and streets within Enugu capital city were deserted on Monday as the residents remained indoors for fear of being attacked by the gunmen enforcing the sit-at-home order which the IPOB leadership had repeatedly announced its cancellation.
The state police spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe is yet to comment on the development as of the time of filing this report.
