Anambra State was thrown into mourning on Monday as gunmen unleashed terror during the controversial sit-at-home order, killing four vigilante members in separate attacks across Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area and Abatete in Idemili North.
In the early hours of the morning, three members of the Community Vigilante Services (AVS) were ambushed and killed at Ukpo, while their operational vehicle was set ablaze. Seven others sustained injuries during the brutal attack.
Meanwhile, in Abatete, gunmen stormed the community, unleashing a hail of bullets that claimed one life and sent residents fleeing for safety.
The President-General of Ukpo Town, who was reportedly in close proximity to the vigilante group, narrowly escaped death, sustaining multiple bullet wounds. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed Ukpo Roundabout, shooting indiscriminately and chanting, *“No Biafra, No Freedom.”*
“They came out of nowhere, shooting and targeting a Sienna vehicle carrying vigilante personnel,” an eyewitness recounted.
While details remain unclear, sources suggest the vigilante team may have been en route to report to the President-General when the attack occurred.
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The Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attacks, stating that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ukpo was already on the ground investigating the situation.
“We await a full report from the DPO to unravel the motive behind these heinous acts,” Ikenga said.
The attacks come just weeks after Governor Charles Soludo mandated that all markets and businesses in the state defy the sit-at-home order imposed by non-state actors. Ukpo traders had complied with the governor’s directive, potentially putting the community in the crosshairs of the gunmen.
These incidents have heightened concerns over the ongoing violence linked to the sit-at-home directive, raising questions about the safety of communities and the effectiveness of security measures.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police as efforts to restore peace continue.
