Three persons were allegedly killed on Monday in Nnewi, Anambra State, during a sit-at-home protest ordered by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, amid partial compliance with the exercise in the five Southeastern states.
Three buses were also reportedly set ablaze in the heat of rage.
“They were singing and shouting: ‘today is Sit-at-home. Anything sighted, even if it’s a fly must be destroyed.
“There were gunshots around Izuchukwu Park junction around 6 am.
“We couldn’t believe our eyes when we came out to see two lifeless bodies of young men. Yet, nobody could explain who was responsible.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident.
He said police operatives had been deployed in the scene.
He said, “I can confirm to you that there was an incident in Nnewi roundabout, police operatives are currently there but details are still sketchy. Further information will be communicated please.”
Meanwhile, there was total compliance to the Sit-at-home home order in Nnewi and Onitsha areas of the state as banks, shops and markets were under lock.
All schools including government schools were closed except NECO exam class teachers and invigilating and examining teachers who had to trek distances or pay exorbitant clandestine motorists who were mostly military security operatives.
Afor Awkunanaw, very proximate to the 103 Battalion Barracks, Enugu as the Ogbete Main market and Kenyatta markets were also under lock and key.
Banks in the state equally closed their doors for security reasons.
Even government agencies, hotels and other public concerns shut their doors to the public.
Curiously there was sparse security deployment except for soldiers and policemen their patrol vans coursing through empty streets.