•Simon Ekpa
The Monday sit-at-home has become more severe in the southeast despite the arrest of the alleged mastermind of the gunmen attacks, Simon Ekpa.
A fierce gun battle erupted yesterday morning, November 25, between personnel of the Nigerian Army’s 14 Brigade, Ohafia, and unidentified gunmen in Mbata, Umuchima village, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, Abia State, reports Vanguard.
Reports indicate that over 15 Hilux vehicles and armoured personnel carriers arrived at the village around 6 a.m., targeting suspected gunmen reportedly camped near a river bordering Abia and the Mbaise axis of Imo State.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that soldiers had taken control of key junctions leading in and out of the area. “The gunfire started early in the morning,” a resident shared, adding that many villagers fled their homes for safety.
The intense exchange of gunfire continued in nearby bushes, with no casualty figures reported.
As of press time, there were no official statements from the Nigerian Army or the Abia State Government.
The clash came days after Abia State Governor Alex Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to combat insecurity. Following a meeting with top security officials last week, Otti vowed to restore peace across the state.
Attack Anambra vigilante operatives, injure one, burn vehicle
Again, gunmen have launched another attack on operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Service.
The incident happened along the Amesi-Uga Road in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State.
A source stated that the incident left one vigilante member injured, while their operational vehicle was set ablaze.
The Anambra State Police Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement released yesterday.
He said police operatives responded swiftly to the attack, rescuing the injured vigilante who was immediately taken to the hospital and is now receiving treatment.
According to Ikenga, the police secured the scene of the attack to prevent further criminal activity and ensure properties and goods were safeguarded.
He noted that joint security forces have intensified patrols in the area, employing intelligence-led operations to deny the criminals the opportunity to cause further harm and facilitate their eventual arrest.
In a separate development, Ikenga reported that police operatives from the Okpoko Divisional Headquarters responded to a distress call regarding a fire outbreak at Chukwunonso Street along Obodoukwu Road, Okpoko.
“The scene was cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from exploiting the situation to loot properties, and a swift action by fire service operatives brought the situation under control.
“An investigation into the cause of the fire has been initiated to prevent future occurrences,” Ikenga said.
Private schools shut over gunmen attacks in Anambra
In Anambra, private and mission schools that had been operating on Mondays have suspended classes until further notice.
The Catholic Education Council in a directive said: “Due to certain security concerns, it has been considered that schools will not be held on Mondays till further notice.
“Pupils are advised to stay at home and resume on Tuesday 26th November. We’re sorry for any inconvenience.
“SSS3 students are, however, expected to be coming to school on Mondays and Saturdays for special lessons without uniform.
“We appreciate all those who have made sincere efforts to complete all their payments as we expected every well-meaning parent/guardian to have done before now. .Please kindly inform others about this message”.
It was gathered that the latest directive followed an alleged threat by unknown people to attack school buses and schools that open on Mondays.
No commercial activities
As usual, commercial activities did not take place in most parts of Anambra. At the Awka main market, traders hurriedly closed their shops when information went around that gunmen were going to attack the market for opening on Monday.
The Anambra Innovation Week, which began yesterday also witnessed a very low turnout as the participants who were expected to come from various parts of the state could not make it. The state deputy governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim , however, declared the week open and the expectation is that the full attendance would begin today.
In some major cities in the southeast, the fear of gunmen attacks hindered economic and commercial activities.
Abducted Abia Anglican delegates reunite with families
Meantime, members of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Diocese of Isiala Ngwa in Abia State, who were kidnapped in Kogi State on their way to Abuja a few days ago, have regained their freedom and returned to their families.
The delegates, who included two priests, male and female church members, were heading to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja to attend an annual religious event called Divine Commonwealth Conference of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion (DIVCCON) when they were kidnapped by unknown hoodlums.
The incident caused fears among the church faithful in the Isiala Ngwa Diocese and the Anglican community at large, which made the leaders of various Dioceses declare prayers for the freedom of the victims.
The latest report from the Diocese said the delegates had been released and had returned to Abia to reunite with their families.
Details were not provided on whether they were rescued by the police in Kogi State or if any ransom was paid by their families.
