Unidentified gunmen on motorcycles armed with AK-47 rifles invaded Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday, sparking panic and forcing residents to close their shops in observance of Biafra Day, a secessionist commemoration declared annually by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on May 30 to honor those who died during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war nearly six decades ago. The incident, which began around 10 a.m., saw five men riding into the community, demanding that shop owners shut down operations for the day as a mark of respect to the war dead. Although the gunmen initially refrained from violence, their presence caused widespread fear, leading to a chaotic scramble as residents hurried to secure their properties.
According to an eyewitness, the men did not engage in immediate aggression but issued verbal orders for businesses to remain closed until 4 p.m. However, the situation escalated quickly when heavy gunfire erupted later in the day. The source revealed that the gunmen were confronted by members of the Agunechemba Security Outfit, a local vigilante group, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. “At first, the men were not violent. They just urged people to close, telling them they could reopen by 4 p.m. But because of panic, people were running helter-skelter,” the eyewitness recounted. The gunfire continued intermittently throughout the day, with reports indicating that the Agunechemba operatives initially gained the upper hand, but the gunmen regrouped and returned later in the evening to resume the confrontation.
By late afternoon, the community was in lockdown as residents took refuge in their homes, fearful of stray bullets. “They had been shooting from this evening until about an hour ago. Everyone is afraid and people have retreated into their homes for fear of being hit by stray bullets. Everywhere is deserted as I speak to you, and we do not know what will happen tonight,” the source said with evident distress. Despite the intensity of the clashes, there was no immediate confirmation of casualties or injuries, and the true identities of the gunmen remain unknown. Efforts to contact Comrade Nweke Nweke, the spokesperson for the Agunechemba Security Outfit, were unsuccessful as his phone lines were unreachable. Similarly, police authorities in Anambra State had not issued any statement on the incident by the time of filing this report.
The event underscores the ongoing security challenges in parts of southeastern Nigeria, particularly around politically sensitive dates like Biafra Day, which often draw heightened tensions. As the community remains on edge, residents are left hoping for swift intervention from security agencies to restore calm and prevent further violence.
Leave a Comment