Residents flee gunmen storm markets, streets in Imo to enforce IPOB sit-at-home order

Gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) on early Monday, October 4, 2021 stormed streets and markets in Owerri and forced traders to close shops to carry out sit-at-home order.

They were said to have shot continuously in the air to scare people and motorists, who were seen making quick U-turns while many passengers disembarked.

Some vehicles collided with one another as drivers made frantic moves to turn back.

The confusion, which started at Wethral Road, spread to neighbouring Mbaise Road, Douglas Road and Naze along Aba-Owerri Road.

Traders at the multi-million Alaba International market and Naze Cluster markets quickly closed their shops and locked the entrances leading to the market.

Hoodlums took advantage of the situation to scatter some wares already displayed by shop owners who fled.

Schools immediately closed while parents rushed to pick their children.

It was not immediately known what happened, but our correspondent gathered that the gunmen had arrived Owerri from Aba ostensibly to enforce the order in Imo.

The spokesman of the Imo state police command, CSP Mike Abattam, was not available for comments.

There has been apprehension in the South-East since IPOB declared its weekly sit-at-home order. Although spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, had said the group had cancelled the weekly order, some members of the organisation were said to have vowed to continue to enforce it.