Henrietta Ashikodi / Umuahia…
Pandamonion broke out in Ogbor Hill, Aba the commercial city of Abia on Thursday, May 30 as gun men enforcing the Biafra Day sit-at-home attacked military checkpoint, at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia state setting military vehicles ablaze as three soldiers were feared dead.
Our reporter gathered that the gunmen who were said to have stormed the military unit at about 6.45am, also burnt the unit as well as a patrol van parked in the unit.
Similar attack happened barely two weeks after some gunmen also killed two soldiers at a military unit located at the Aba main motor park.
The Incident has caused pandemonium in the area, forcing people to remain in door for few of reprisals from the military.
However their was total compliance to the sit at home at Aba as motorists deserted the roads in all areas of the city, including schools, markets and other business centres were shut.
Most students who were scheduled to take the WAEC Mathematics examination could not make it as there were no motorists to take them to their centres.
The situation became chaotic in the area as the roads were deserted and soldiers gave hot chase to motorists and passers by along Ukaegbu,Umuola, New Umuahia, Omoba, Ehere, Ururuka roads and Opobo junction which are adjoining roads to military units.
Speaking, a resident from the area, told journalists that they are still making efforts to relocate from the Obikabia area because of fear of reprisal attack by the angry soldiers. He said that as early as 6.45am, there was heavy gunfire around the military unit at Obikabia junction.
He said “when I peeped through the windows of my apartment, I discovered it was an attack on the soldiers. The unit and patrol van were set on fire. The roads are still deserted, people are making efforts to relocate from the Obikabia junction area because of fear of the unknown from the angry soldiers.” The resident stated.
He regretted that this is happening barely two weeks after some gunmen also killed two soldiers at a military unit located at the Aba main motor park, along Asa road, Aba.
In Umuahia compliance of the sit at home was high as banks, civil servants, traders, offices, obeyed the directive by staying in their houses to observe the day. Few tricycle operators and private car owners were seen on the roads.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Public Relations Officer, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Lt. Innocent Omale on phone was unsuccessful as he did not pick his calls neither did he returned back the calls.
In a quick reaction, the President General, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the apex sociopolitical youth group in South East zone, Comrade Goodluck Ibem through a press release he signed condemned the attack on Military checkpoint in Obikabia junction, Aba which he said left some soldiers dead.
He described the killing as barbaric, wicked noting that the attacks are the handiwork of criminal elements hiding under the cover of Biafra struggle to perpetuate crime and destabilize Governor Otti’s government adding that their plans is dead on arrival
“It is very unfortunate that the soldiers who are peacefully performing their constitutional duties of providing security in the area will be attacked by gunmen without any form of provocation whatsoever. This is completely unacceptable.
“This is the second time a military checkpoint will be attacked by gunmen in the state. This is a strong confirmation that enemies of Abia who are not happy with the transformational performance of Governor Alex Otti and are at work to destabilize the state.
“These persons are not happy that Abians now have good road network, improved security and other democracy dividends which the governor is bringing to the door steps of Abia people to make life enjoyable.
“We sympathize and commiserate with the military over this great loss and we urge the general public to work with the government to bring the culprits to book.
“We call on Governor Alex Otti to remain resolute and steadfast in his determination to make Abia better while working hard to bring to book those enemies of Abia who are hell-bent on destroying the peace Abians are currently enjoying.
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