There was mild tension as weapons-wielding youths tried to disrupt economic activities in Onitsha, Anambra, on Wednesday.
A source said the youths, who were suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, accosted and burnt a commercial bus in Onitsha, claiming to be enforcing a sit-at-home directive.
The youths also burnt down a tricycle, while shooting into the air in Onitsha.
A message had last weekend been circulated on social media, stating that there will be a 4-day sit-at-home exercise in the southeast, beginning from May 8 to May 11.
No reason was given for the order but a press release by spokesperson of IPOB, Mr Emma Powerful stated that the group had announced May 30 as a day for all Biafrans to sit-at-home, in commemoration of Biafra Day.
The burning of vehicles it was gathered had sent panic in Onitsha town, with a source saying that the enforcers were heading towards Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, through the old road.
But the state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the incident said the enforcers were confronted by police operatives, and they had long been dislodged.
“Police responded swiftly which made the criminals escape the scene. The hoodlums in an attempt to scare the residents from coming out to embark on their daily activities, stopped and set on fire commercial vehicles and tricycles plying the road.
“The residents courageously resisted the assailants and the fire has been put off by the police operatives and some people in the area. Meanwhile calm has returned to the area and the situation is under control and monitored,” he said.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Election Tribunal: 5 prayers Obi seeks in petition against Tinubu’s victory
The petition, jointly filed by Obi and his party, has INEC, Tinubu, Shettima Kashim, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the…
OFFCUT: ‘I pay 48k per month for electricity’, Nigerians rank electricity most annoying bill
In an online teaser posted by Tribune Online, which cut across various social media users, Nigerians were asked to mention…
Rema makes Guinness World record with ‘Calm Down’
Nigerian music star, Divine Ikubor aka Rema, has made it to the Guinness World Book of…
How Buhari betrayed me after winning election —Ardo
Dr Umar Ardo, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Adamawa State, was a four-time guber aspirant in…
Saudi Arabia to propose ‘biggest offer ever’ to lure suspended Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi appears to be leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this summer and could be heading to Saudi Arabia in…
Rising ethnic tension between Hausa and Fulani
THE cultural and ethnic melding of Northern Nigeria’s Hausa and the Fulani people is so deep, solabyrinthine, so time-honored, and…
and then