Sit-at-home: Gunmen burn Imo market, raze vehicles

Gunmen enforcing sit-at-home on Friday night burnt part of Amaraku market located in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo state.

Apart from burning the market, the gunmen also razed vehicles and goods and services belonging to the traders, who are mostly women.

The fleeing gunmen also burnt vehicles in the Obolo community, Isiala Mbano LGA.

While razing the vehicles and the market, the gunmen were said to be furious with the traders and transporters for flouting the sit-at-home order.

One of the eyewitnesses, who does not want to be mentioned said, “On arrival, they said that the traders had the guts to disobey the sit-at-home order. They said if the traders have the courage they should come out tomorrow (today). They went on to raze part of the markets and the commercial vehicles around.

“On their way going, they shot indiscriminately and burnt vehicles at the Obolo community in the same Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo state. This is very unfortunate. Millions of naira belonging to poor businesswomen and low-income earners have been destroyed. This thing is getting out of hand.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye said “The Command is on top of the situation. Adequate security measures have been emplaced to arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly act and bring them to justice.

“I want to use this medium to admonish the various stakeholders of Imo State to warn their subjects as Imo Police Command will not hesitate to deal ruthlessly with any subversive criminal syndicate or individual caught enforcing the unlawful sit-at-home order.

“Members of the public are advised to go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation and at the same time remain vigilant and swiftly report any criminally minded element seen enforcing the unlawful sit-at-home order.”