Gunmen kill two while ‘enforcing sit-at-home’ in Imo

Suspected gunmen have killed two persons while enforcing the seven-day sit-at-home in Owerri north LGA, Imo state.

On June 14, Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), declared a total lockdown in the southeast from July 3 to 10, excluding July 6.

On Saturday, the suspected gunmen believed to be enforcers of the sit-at-home invaded the Akwakuma junction in the LGA.

A witness told TheCable, that the gunmen arrived at about 1:30 pm and shot sporadically into the air, killing a tricycle driver and a pedestrian.

“It was terrible. The junction is currently deserted because of the gunmen. They shot one Keke rider and a pedestrian,” the witness said.

“I was at my shop when the gunshots started raining in the air. We all ran away out of fear. Although, I did not see the gunmen but I heard their gunshots closely. Two people were shot dead.”

A resident blamed the attack on security agents in the area, who he said are not carrying out their duties as expected.

“I don’t know why the criminals struck unchallenged, whereas the military checkpoint is nearby, ” he said.

“If it had been that security agents mounting illegal check points on every inch of our roads are searching both the occupants and vehicles instead of extorting money, this ugly incident would have been nipped in the bud.”

Another resident expressed concerns over the safety of the people in Owerri following the incident.

“If these things could happen in Owerri capital city, how about the rural communities?” the unnamed resident said.

“Where are the security agencies and state government that advised people to go about their normal businesses and ignore sit-at-home? Who should we obey going forward?

“Is it the government and security agencies who cannot protect the people after advising them to go out or the group that announced sit-at-home? We are in trouble.”

Report had it that the gunmen had on Friday night set part of a market in the area on fire, warning traders not to open their shops on Saturday.