OWERRI NORTH, Nigeria – A tricycle (Keke) driver and a pedestrian have been fatally shot at the Akwakuma junction in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, amid enforcement of an illegal seven-day sit-at-home order.
Reports suggest that the gunmen stormed the area in a Sienna bus on Saturday, July 8, 2023, enforcing the sit-at-home order with a hail of bullets that sent locals scrambling for safety.
The tricycle driver, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was allegedly scouting for passengers at the junction when he was caught off-guard and shot in the chest.
This incident occurred mere hours after parts of the popular Orie Amaraku market and several parked vehicles were set ablaze, believed to be the handiwork of the same sit-at-home order enforcers.
An eyewitness, a local tailor who requested anonymity, revealed to journalists that another pedestrian was also hit by a stray bullet during the attack.
She described the scene as “terrible,” noting that the junction is currently deserted due to fear of the gunmen.
Residents of Akwakuma community expressed their frustration at the brazen attack, questioning the effectiveness of nearby military checkpoints.
One resident criticised the security agents, saying, “If it had been that security agents mounting illegal checkpoints on every inch of our roads searching both the occupants and vehicles instead of extorting money, this ugly incident would have been nipped in the bud.”
Another local voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation, particularly in rural communities, questioning the credibility of government and security agencies’ advice to ignore the sit-at-home orders and go about their normal businesses.
“We are in trouble,” the resident lamented, highlighting the difficult choice between obeying the government and security agencies, who are seemingly failing to protect the people, or the group enforcing the sit-at-home order.
As of this report’s filing, Henry Okoye, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, had not yet responded to the incident.
