SIT-AT-HOME: TWO SUSPECTED ROBBERS, FOUR VEHICLES BURNT IN ANAMBRA, ABIA.(PHOTO).

Sit-at-home: Two suspected robbers, four vehicles burnt in Anambra, Abia

Two suspected armed robbers and four vehicles were burnt in Anambra and Abia states yesterday as residents continued to observe sit-at-home.

Residents of major cities in Enugu and Imo states also stayed home in spite of assurances of their safety by their state governments.

Magic FM gathered that the robbery suspects were attempting to rob tricycle passengers at the Obosi Roundabout along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, in Idemili North Local Government Area, when they met their waterloo.  

An eyewitness said: ”The robbers tried to escape, but were caught by the mob who immediately set them ablaze with disused tyres and fuel. 

“They (suspects) normally operate with the tricycle they rob from people, but today, they boarded as passengers. 

“But midway to their destination, the two started robbing the passengers who immediately started shouting despite warning that they should be gunned down if they shout.”  

At Nnewi, where the Senator Representing Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah, had warned sit-at-home enforcers to stay away, residents opted not to take any chance by staying indoors. 

In Aba North and South Local Government Areas, suspected members of the Ekpa group of IPOB unleashed mayhem on the residents in the early hours of yesterday.

Although there was no reported case of death, the attackers who reportedly wore black attire, burnt four vehicles and a tricycle in various parts of the councils.

A resident, who gave his name as Gilbert, said a commercial vehicle bus was burnt at a popular junction linking Port Harcourt Road and Ngwa Road at about 5:30 am.

Another resident said that a heavy-duty truck, two commercial buses conveying bread and foodstuffs and a tricycle were burnt at the Uratta area of the city.

It was gathered that the group members were heading towards Ariaria junction by the expressway when they sighted soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion and retreated.

Magic FM gathered that the early morning incidents made most residents not to venture out.

A senior security operative, who declined to be named, said quick intervention by policemen made the attackers flee from the streets.

As of 5 pm yesterday, a joint patrol of security agencies was on a show of force in the city.