NIGERIA – It was a bloody Monday in the Southeast as gunmen again went on the rampage, killing and destroying properties.
Worst hit were Imo and Anambra states, where gunmen and security agents engaged in shootouts, leaving deaths in their wake. In Imo, the police killed six suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its military arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN.
The suspects were said to have attempted to burn down the Palace of Imo State Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr E. C. Okeke, in the Orlu Local Government Area.
It was chaotic in Anambra as gunmen engaged security operatives in a gun duel.
Two soldiers were feared killed, but this could not be independently confirmed.
Suspected arsonists stormed the premises of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) at Ukwu Nwasike, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area and set ablaze 32 of its vehicles. Not done, they moved to the local government secretariat at Ogidi and set ablaze Magistrate Court and part of the secretariat building. At least two persons enforcing the sit-at-home in Anambra were killed during a gunbattle with a police patrol team.
Police spokesman, Toochukwu Ikenga, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.
How a bloody day unfolded
The attacks came three days after Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo visited detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
“He (Kanu) expressed sadness over what he described as ‘sacrilegious killings’ of innocent persons, kidnappings and all forms of criminalities, including the brutal enforcement of the senseless ‘sit at home’ perpetuated by sundry groups claiming to be acting for or on behalf of IPOB,” Soludo said.
But the governor’s bid to find lasting peace in the region suffered a major setback yesterday.
The Imo incident occured at about 8am when the hoodlums, in their numbers, advanced in three Hilux vans towards the palace while shooting into the air.
Police spokesman Michael Abattam, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said the Command’s Tactical Team joined by the military mobilised to the palace.
“The hoodlums on sighting the combined team engaged them in a gun duel, throwing petrol bombs. The gallant team responded, positioning themselves professionally. In the exchange of gunfire that ensued, the hoodlums were overwhelmed due to the superior fire-power of the combined team. In the process, six of the hoodlums were neutralised while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries.”
According to him, the operatives recovered one pump action gun, three blood-stained cutlasses and three Hilux Vehicles suspected to have been snatched from citizens.
He said calm was restored in the area and the corpses deposited in a mortuary.
The attack on the soldiers in Anambra took place at 3-3 Estate, Nkwelle Ezunaka, near Onitsha, during a gun duel, The Nation learnt.
It was gathered that the gunmen stormed the estate at midnight on Sunday where the soldiers were keeping guard.
Our correspondent gathered that the shooting, which started at about 10pm, lasted late into the night, with expended shells dropping on rooftops.
A resident, who pleaded not to be named for safety reason, told The Nation: “Gunmen attacked the military men securing us yesterday (Monday) night at housing estate gate.
