Gunmen suspected to be enforcing the sit-at-home order have killed four vigilante operatives in two separate communities in Anambra State. The tragic incidents, which unfolded in the early hours of Monday, have sent shockwaves through the affected areas and raised concerns about security and public safety.
According to sources, the attackers launched their deadly assaults on individuals they identified as violating the sit-at-home directive. The first attack occurred in Abatete, a town in Idemili North Local Government Area, where three vigilante operatives were providing security for High Chief Ezebinobi Ezigbo, the President-General of the Abatete Development Organization (ADO).
The assailants reportedly killed the three operatives on the spot, leaving Chief Ezigbo with severe bullet wounds. The President-General was rushed to a nearby medical facility, where he is currently receiving treatment for his injuries.
In a separate but related incident, gunmen attacked Ukpo, a community in Dunukofia Local Government Area. During this assault, one vigilante operative was killed, and the attackers set the team’s vehicle ablaze. Other members of the security team narrowly escaped the assault, managing to flee the scene before further casualties occurred.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incidents when reached by phone. SP Ikenga stated that the command had received preliminary reports about the attacks but noted that the details remained sketchy at that time. He assured the public that a comprehensive investigation had been initiated to uncover the identities of the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Dr. Law Mefor, also acknowledged the incident in Abatete. Dr. Mefor, speaking from Abuja, where he is currently on official duty, described the attack as heinous and unwarranted. He emphasized the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its residents and condemned the violence in strong terms.
These violent attacks come amid ongoing tensions related to the sit-at-home orders, which have disrupted daily life and posed challenges for security forces attempting to maintain peace in the region.
The sit-at-home directives, often linked to pro-secessionist movements, have increasingly been enforced by armed groups who resort to violence to ensure compliance, causing fear and instability across affected communities.
As investigations continue, the state government and security agencies have called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could aid in the capture of those responsible for these attacks.
