There is palpable tension in the South-East geo-political zone of the country as the military yesterday began an operation as part of efforts to address the rising spate of insecurity in the region.
This much was revealed by the Army at a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital, as soldiers and policemen paraded the streets of Owerri, the Imo State capital, in a show of force on Monday.
Hoodlums had a field day in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, as they went on rampage in the process of enforcing the sit-at-home order which the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, imposed, but said it had suspended.
Reca that the insecurity in the region had worsened considerable since the arrest and extradition to Nigeria of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in June.
Only last week, nine persons, including the widower of late former Minister of information, Dora Akunyili, Dr Chike Akunyili, were killed by gunmen at Nkpor in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Violence intensified on Monday, in Enugu, where hoodlums attacked and set ablaze a tricycle for allegedly disobeying the sit-at-home order.
Information gathered revealed that the hoodlums, operating in a Hilux van, moved round some parts of Enugu on Monday morning to enforce the sit-at-home order.
Meanwhile, the sit-at-home order continued to affect businesses and social activities in the state.
Miscreants continue to attack those who disobeyed the sit-at-home order, thereby creating fear and forcing residents of the state to remain indoors.
CompassNG gathered that a tricycle was set ablaze at Amachi Road Junction, Agbani Road, despite security assurances by the state government.
Also in Imo State, panic-gripped residents flee the streets as the army and police begin a show of force.
There was panic in the state capital, Owerri, yesterday as news filtered in that a group of gunmen were on the rampage,leading to immediate closure of schools, markets, banks and eateries, as residents scampered to safety for dear lives.
As parents and guardians rushed to withdraw their children and wards from schools, all roadside shops, eateries, and motor parks were deserted. Vehicles on transit discharged their passengers and made u-turns to where they were coming from.
A parent, anonymity said that his neighbour told him that hoodlums were going to schools to attack pupils, adding that it was a huge risk to allow his children remain in school, considering the current situation.
The panic situation, which began at about 10 am, was as a result of Operation Show of Force embarked upon by the army and police in the state; a situation which forced vehicles owners, and barrow pushers to quickly leave the roads and streets just as road side traders also took to their heels.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said that the stampede was uncalled for, adding that the security operatives were on Operation Show of Force in the state capital.
Meanwhile, the 302 Artillery Regiment General Support, on Monday, launched ‘Exercise Golden Dawn,’ to provide security in the state.
According to the Commander 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support) Col Abdulkarim Usman, the operation will help to combat insecurity in the state and foster inter-agency cooperation.
Col Usman said that the rise of insecurity across the country had made it imperative that the Nigerian Army needed to come in to assist.
He said, “The military will use the golden opportunity in conjunction with other security agencies to curb the existing security threats in Anambra State.
“The threats range from secessionist agitations, by the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, IPOB and the Eastern Security Network.
“Others are banditry, kidnapping, cultist activities, land disputes clashes, communal clashes, chieftaincy issues, assassinations and youths’ restiveness.”
The launching of the military operation was held as the South-East governors and some selected Igbo leaders would be meeting today in Enugu to discuss the crippling effects of the sit-at-home and the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government.
According to impeccable sources, the meeting would discuss how to negotiate Kanu’s trial through political means.
The circular for the meeting sent to invited Igbo leaders by the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, SEGF, and governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, appealed to the zone’s governors to be physically present in the meeting and avoid sending representatives.
Invitees to the meeting, apart from South-East governors, include: President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, South-East zone, Archbishop of Enugu Province, Anglican Communion, Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Archbishop of Enugu Methodist Church, South-East National Assembly Caucus, and Chairman of the South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council, among others.
