Sit at Home: 4 Gunned Down, As Police Clash with IPOB in Ebonyi

By Izunna Okafor

Four persons have been allegedly killed in Ebonyi State, with many others allegedly injured today, following a clash and somewhat shooting combat that erupted between the police and the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the cause of observing/keeping the sit-at-home order given by the IPOB.

According to eyewitness reports, the shooting, which occurred on Monday (today) in Nnodo in Ebonyi Local Government Area of the state, broke out as police encountered IPOB members enforcing the group’s sit-at-home order.

Reports have it that a police officer and three IPOB members are among those killed.

Speaking to newsmen, another reliable source said that motorbikes and cars were also set ablaze during the attack.

“And in order to stop them, the police was mobilized to the area leading to shooting during which deaths were recorded,” the source explained.

Official statement from the police or the State Government on the incident is yet to be seen, as of the time of filing of this report.

It would be recalled that IPOB, through its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had declared Monday 31 May to be a no-going-out day, otherwise known as sit-at-home day, in commemoration of Biafra Day.

Biafra Day is usually observed/marked on 30 May, by the IPOB, being the day the Biafran Warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, unilaterally declared the independent Republic of Biafra in the year 1970. However, because this year's May 30 was Sunday, and because many Ndi Igbo (who are predominantly Christians) usually stay at their homes on Sunday; the group (IPOB) therefore decided to shift this year's commemoration of the day to Monday May 31, for the sit-at-home to be well felt and manifestly observed in the entire region. 

It is therefore in the course of observing/enforcing this sit-at-home order today that the clash broke out between the police and the members of the IPOB in Ebonyi State, leading to the reported death of four and destruction of vehicles.

Howbeit, the sit-at-home order recorded about 99% (peaceful) compliance in Awka the capital city of Anambra State, Onitsha metropolitan city and Nnewi, the hometown of the Biafran Warlord, Odumegwu Ojukwu, and other parts of the state, with many streets dry, and shops/schools and institutions locked.