Tension gripped Ebenebe community on Saturday after unidentified gunmen invaded the town on motorcycles and forced residents to close shops in observance of Biafra Day.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had declared May 30 as Biafra Day to mourn those killed during the Nigerian Civil War.
An eyewitness said five armed men wielding AK-47 rifles rode into the community around 10 a.m., directing traders to shut down until 4 p.m. in honor of the fallen. The men were initially not violent, but their presence triggered panic, with shop owners hurriedly closing for the day.
“People were running helter-skelter because of panic,” the source said.
The situation escalated when operatives of the Agunechemba Security Outfit confronted the gunmen, leading to a heavy exchange of fire. Shooting reportedly continued throughout the day. Residents said the security outfit initially overpowered the gunmen, but the armed group later regrouped and returned, sparking another round of gunfire that lasted into the evening.
“Everyone is afraid and people have retreated into their houses for fear of being hit by bullets. Everywhere is deserted,” the eyewitness added.
It was not immediately clear if there were casualties, and the identity of the gunmen remains unknown.
Efforts to reach Agunechemba Security Outfit spokesperson, Comrade Nweke Nweke, were unsuccessful as his phone lines were unreachable. Police authorities in Anambra State had yet to comment on the incident at the time of filing this report.
