Some members of the Eastern Security Network enforcing illegal sit-at-home in Anambra State have slaughtered scores of residents in Nnewi North local government area as well as the Nnobi community in Idemili South LGA on Monday.
The number of casualties which is yet to be confirmed were reportedly killed when the criminal elements invaded the communities.
NewsBand gathered that several persons sustained varying degrees of injuries as the gunmen said to be enforcing Monday sit-at-home exercise, opened fire indiscriminately into the air when they arrived.
The industrial town of Nnewi was thrown into shock when the gunmen arrived in the community at about 11am, killing a vigilante commander.
“The gunmen arrived in three vehicles and went straight to a popular hotel at Nnewichi (name withheld). One of the persons in the hotel at the time they attacked was abducted by the gunmen. The gunmen shot sporadically into the ground while the bullets were flying all around the hotel’s premises. Mobile phones and other valuables were collected from the victims the gunmen met in the hotel.
“The vigilante commander who is popularly known as “Tallest” after hearing about the incident, gave the hoodlums a hot chase. But when the gunmen noticed that the vigilante commander was pursuing them, they shot at him at a point at Nnobi in Idemili South LGA of the state.
“The development forced many people who tried to brave the sit-at-home directive to quickly close their shops and run home”, PUNCH quoting a source reported.
Also, the criminal elements who stormed Nnobi community in a black Landcruiser SUV, opened fire on the vigilante operatives, leaving two of the security operatives seriously injured.
Another source in the area recounted that the gunmen proceeded to a burial ceremony and also shot dead two other persons.
The sources said, “They later drove to Afor Nnobi and shot dead three security personnel before getting to Ahuda where one other person was killed. The injured persons were rushed to a hospital in Nnewi(name withheld), where they are receiving medical attention.”
Meanwhile, police authorities in Anambra State are yet to issue a statement in respect to the ugly incident.