From Godwin Okeh, Abakaliki

Gunmen, suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the early hours of yesterday reportedly set ablaze a vehicle belonging to an unidentified person and two motorcycles to enforce sit-at-home on the people of Ebonyi state.

It was gathered that the suspected unknown gunmen moved round the state capital at about 4:00am to 6:00am to enforce sit-at-home on the residents of Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.

Recall that IPOB, had declared that there will be sit-at-home in the South east geopolitical zone to honour their national leader, Nnamdi KANU that is arraigned in court today.

DAILY ASSET gathered that the incident caused panic on the residents of Abakaliki metropolis, thereby closure of shops and schools in the state capital.

However, the vehicles were set ablaze at Hilltop junction, a road leading to the former office of the Department of state Service, DSS.

While, the motorcycle were burnt by another set of hoodlums at Nnodo secondary school, near the bridge linking Ozibo development centre to the capital city, Abakaliki.

An eyewitness who spoke unanimity to our correspondent that visited the scene of the incident at Hiltup junction said “I came to my shop this morning, I saw marks of a burnt vehicle in front of my shop and I asked my neighborhours, they told me that hoodlums burnt it down early this morning.

“Although, the burnt vehicle has been quickly evacuated by authorities of government” he noted.

It was equally gathered that the hoodlums roughly manhandled a shop owner who opened shop and attempted to video the incident.

In a related development, another source who spoke to journalists unanimity at Nnodo junction said “There is panic in my side following burning of a bike after Nnodo Secondary School before that bridge down down. Some motorists and passersby in my Ozibo area refused to ply that our road but I plied it.

“One motorcycle were burnt there and people are afraid of plying that road,” he noted.

However, the Sit-at-home resulted to the shutting down of most public and private schools in the 13 LGA of the state whereas few ones that opened, mobilized enough local security operatives to secure their schools.

“Some schools did not open. A friend took his kids to school but were turned back at the gate,” a source, who spoke unanimity told newsmen.

Our correspondent who moved round the state capital observed that most shop owners especially in the major markets closed their shops for fear of attacks and killings by unknown gunmen.

DAILY ASSET equally observed that banks, fuel stations, transport depots especially those moving outside the state capital were shutdown.

Also, most banks especially those located within the state capital removed the Nigeria flags to avert attacks and destruction of facilities by unknown gunmen.

It was gathered that the gate of the Ebonyi state judiciary were under lock and key to avert attacks and invasion by unknown gunmen.

Relatively, a great number of heavily armed police officers were seen patrolling round the state shortly after the incident at Nnodo and Hiltup junction.

When contacted for confirmation, the Police Public relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi state police command, DSP, Loveth Odah said the vehicle was overheating.

She however denied knowledge of the burnt motorcycle at Nnodo secondary school but vowed to brief journalists after getting details  from the leader of the show of force team, that are patrolling round the state capital.