According to the report from the Vanguard, Tension has escalated in Aba, Abia State, as military forces have assumed control of the city in response to the tragic incident that resulted in the death of five soldiers at a military checkpoint situated at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill.
According to reports, armed individuals believed to be enforcing the sit-at-home directive issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) carried out the attack on the checkpoint, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of military vehicles and infrastructure.
“The tension over the killing has increased with two military helicopters still hovering over the Ogbor Hill area and environs,” a source revealed. Residents are reportedly on edge, taking precautionary measures to ensure their safety amid the heightened military presence. Witnesses have observed several patrol teams of soldiers moving swiftly through residential areas, prompting residents to seek refuge upon their approach.
Moreover, there have been reports of military personnel dispersing crowds at various locations in Aba, including Cemetery, Ngwa road, Nsulu markets, and other business hubs, instructing traders to vacate the premises. In light of the prevailing unrest, many schools have remained closed, with concerned parents opting to keep their children at home for safety. Despite the turmoil, the Aba main motor park continues to buzz with activity, offering a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere prevailing in other parts of the city.
Residents residing in neighborhoods such as Umuola, Ukaegbu, Ehere, New Umuahia, Ururuka roads in Ogbor Hill, and Obohia and Ohanku in Ndiegoro area, as well as surrounding areas, have opted to remain indoors out of fear of potential reprisals from military forces. Notably, the Aba-Umuahia section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway has been heavily fortified, with soldiers stationed at strategic points to monitor the flow of traffic. Passengers traveling along this route have had to disembark at designated junctions and proceed on foot, raising their hands as a gesture of compliance, while motorists have sought alternative routes to circumvent military checkpoints.
Despite efforts to reach out to the Army Public Relations Officer, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Lt. Innocent Omale, for comment on the unfolding situation, attempts to elicit a response have been unsuccessful. Lt. Omale did not respond to messages sent to his mobile number, leaving the public in a state of uncertainty regarding the official military stance on the ongoing events in Aba.
