Gunmen stormed the boundary between Oko community in Orumba North Local Government Area and Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday morning, shooting sporadically before setting a Sienna vehicle on fire.

In a video circulating, a man accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of committing the act. They were said to be enforcing Monday sit-at-home.

The IPOB in a widely circulated press statement in 2021, cancelled the Monday sit-at-home which was started in respect of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu who is still in DSS custody for an alleged crime of terrorism but the Biafran National Guard (BNG) vowed to make sure it stand. The group even vowed to arrest anyone enforcing it.

A source in the area said the shooting caused residents of the area to run into hiding, just as a Toyota Sienna vehicle belonging to an unidentified indigene of Isuofia, a neighbouring community to Ekwulobia, was burnt down.

“The man was driving past at the area when the men started shooting.

“He left his car in the middle of the road and ran for dear life, but before he could return, the gunmen had set it ablaze.”

The Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the state commissioner of police, CP Echeng Eworo, has deployed men to the area.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, has since ordered reinforcement teams from the command headquarters to intensify patrols around major areas like Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, Aguata, Awka and other environs in the State.

“The reinforcement teams comprise Police Mobile Operatives, Counter-Terrorist Units, Special Forces and other tactical teams.

“They are to address any security concern that may arise and to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the state,” he said.

Also, there were sporadic gunshots at Esut Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State.

Also, some unknown gunmen were sighted enforcing a sit-at-home order cancelled by IPOB.

Sources close to the area said the heavy gunshots which started at about 9:00 am on Monday continued later on.

There were also reports of disruptions of vehicular movement at Topland, Amechi Road, NOWAS, IMT and Shoprite area, as well as Enugu South LGA of Enugu State due to sporadic gunshots.

Gunshots were also heard around Ogbete, Naira Triangle and Thinkers Corner.

Men of the Nigerian Army were later seen confronting the hoodlums.

Efforts to reach Nigerian Army spokesperson, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, failed.