Anxiety and confusion has enveloped Abbi Community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, following the invasion of the area by Fulani herdsmen who unleashed mayhem on the people, killing a brother and sister apart from razing down about seven houses and several motorcycles.
Altogether, 19 persons were declared missing in the community even as several others were also wounded with machetes by the invaders. It was gathered that the Fulani herdsmen numbering over 30 emerged from the bush, and began to attack the people in the community last Thursday, killing their victims and maiming others with machetes before fleeing into the bush unharmed. The two relations who were killed were identified as Fidelis Okeja, 45, and his sister Mercy, 50.
Fidelis and Mercy were sitting outside their compound around 6.30pm discussing when suddenly, about 30 masked Fulani herdsmen emerged from nowhere and killed them instantly.
They later went ahead and attacked other members of the community with machetes, burnt some houses before retreating into the bush.
Some residents in Yemetu area of Ibadan yesterday engaged a team of policemen in a battle and attempted to set a police station ablaze.
The crisis was said to have stemmed from an alleged shooting of a commercial motorcyclist by a policeman for purportedly refusing to part with money.
The colleagues of the shot motorcyclist allegedly mobilised themselves and staged a protest. They were said to have armed themselves with guns, cutlasses, and bottles, and attempted to burn a nearby police station and policemen had to mount a heavy security cordon in front of the station to protect it.
Another version of the story stated that the shot person was hit by an accidental discharge when policemen raided a joint where some hoodlums used to gather to smoke India hemp and drink alcohol.
The crisis was said to have spread to Beere, Dandaru, Oje, and other streets in the area, and people who operate businesses in the area hurriedly locked their shops and ran for cover.
It was gathered that both regular and mobile policemen as well as men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad were deployed to restore order.
As gathered, some of the hoodlums took advantage of the crisis to loot some shops and vandalise others.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Mr. Adekunle Ajisebutu, who confirmed the crisis, said seven people had been arrested in connection with the fracas, but he could not confirm whether anyone was shot or not.
There was heavy exchange of gunfire between Boko Haram and Nigerian military forces in Gwoza town last night.
The Nigerian military forces were said to be on top of the situation, as the town had become calm after an hour of heavy gunfire.
Details about it were still sketchy by press time
