On Monday morning, gunmen reportedly enforcing the banned sit-at-home order unleashed a wave of deadly attacks across several communities in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, leaving a trail of tragedy and heightened tensions in the area.
The attacks unfolded between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in the towns of Abatete, Abagana, and Ukpo, with at least five fatalities and multiple injuries reported. Witnesses say the violent incidents have left residents shaken and on high alert, underscoring ongoing security challenges in the region.
In Abatete, the first attack targeted the town’s President-General (PG) and the local security personnel assigned to protect him. Armed assailants reportedly ambushed the group, resulting in the deaths of three vigilante members. The President-General himself suffered critical injuries and was quickly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment. The motive behind the attack on the community leader and his security team remains unclear, though it is believed to be linked to enforcement of the sit-at-home directive.
Separate attacks soon followed in the neighboring towns of Abagana and Ukpo. In Ukpo, a vigilante team member and a motorcycle rider were fatally shot near the roundabout in Dunukofia Local Government Area. The unprovoked nature of the incidents has left community members fearful and uncertain about further attacks.
Anambra State’s police have acknowledged the violence but note that detailed information is still being gathered. “Details are still sketchy, but our officers are on the scene to investigate,” stated the police spokesperson. “We are committed to bringing clarity to these incidents as soon as possible.”
This recent spate of attacks has heightened the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among residents, who now call for greater security measures and a stronger police presence to curb the surge in violence associated with the outlawed sit-at-home mandate.
