Gunmen burn police van, disperse traders

There was pandemonium in Ishieke, and Ukwuachi suburbs of Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State on Monday, as gunmen reportedly shot into the air to disperse traders at a market in the area.

The gunmen, believed to be enforcing the seven-day sit-at-home declared by a separatist group stormed the market and shot into the air to disperse traders.

The gunmen operated in an open roof vehicle and two motorcycles wielding various high calibre guns.

They were said to have warned the traders to go home immediately for their own good.

The situation caused pandemonium in the area as people scampered away for safety.

A source in the area said that Police later stormed the area after the gunmen had left.

However, the news of the incident filtered into town leading to shops and businesses in some parts of the state especially in the Mile 50 area to shut down temporarily.

The incident followed the burning of a patrol van in Ohaukwu Local Government Area by gunmen on Monday.

The Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government, Odono Ikechukwu Onwe, condemned the incident which happened at Ugwagba.

He stated this during a security meeting at the Council Headquarters.

The Chairman promised to explore every available means to apprehend perpetrators.

He enjoined stakeholders to establish maximum cooperation among themselves to surmount insecurity in their areas.

Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Ogbonna Tobias frowned at the ugly incidence.

He reiterated the determination of the state government to safeguard the lives of residents.

Police spokesperson, Onome Onovwakpoyeya said the Police has been deployed to the affected areas to maintain peace.

She noted that the Police is on the trail of the gunmen expressing confidence that they will soon be arrested.

She urged the people to go about their normal business as security has been beefed up in all areas of the state.

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