From Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki
Unknown gunmen have set a Police patrol vehicle ablaze at Ukwuagba Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, while enforcing sit-at-home order.
It was gathered that the gunmen were said to have stormed a police checkpoint in the area and ordered policemen on duty to vacate the area and immediately set the van ablaze.
Reacting on the incident, the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government, Ikechukwu Onwe, condemned the action and solicited the cooperation of stakeholders to checkmate activities of hoodlums in the area in order to ensure the safety of lives and properties.
During a security council meeting at the council headquarters, Ezzangbo, he vowed to explore every available means to apprehend perpetrators of the act.
Earlier, the state government has enjoined the residents to go about their normal businesses following reported cases of shootings in some parts of the state by unknown gunmen.
There were reported cases of shootings in some parts of the Abakaliki metropolis on Tuesday which caused panic among the residents. But the state government said the situation was under control.
In a statement signed by Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor said “The Ebonyi State government has observed with dismay, apprehension in some parts of the state following activities of unknown gunmen.
“The government, therefore, wishes to advise the general public to go about their lawful businesses as security agents are on top of the situation.
Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, proved abortive as she didn’t respond to calls as at the time of filling the report.
Recall that a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had declared a week long sit-at-home across South-East in order to drive home their demand, while another faction of the group disassociated themselves from it.
