In the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, gunmen have stormed the Nkwo Ibagwa market, leaving a trail of casualties and destroying merchandise estimated to be worth millions of naira. The assailants also set fire to two tricycles and at least two commercial buses on Wednesday.
According to SaharaReporters, the gunmen were allegedly enforcing a sit-at-home order in commemoration of Biafra Heroes Day, scheduled for Thursday, May 30. They unleashed chaos on traders, destroying their goods and setting vehicles on fire.
Charred remains of vehicles and tricycles loaded with goods were seen scattered throughout the market.
Residents and traders have been counting their losses since the attack, and this episode has made them fearful. In reaction, there is a great deal of tension in the city of Enugu, and military checkpoints have been set up on important thoroughfares.
Armoured Personnel Carriers have been stationed at strategic points, resulting in traffic congestion on major roads. Soldiers are searching vehicles, particularly SUVs and luxury cars.
Attempts to contact the Enugu State Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, for comments on the incident were unsuccessful as he did not answer his calls.
