Residents of Awka and other major cities in Anambra State were filled with unease yesterday as individuals scattered, schools hastily closed, civil servants deserted offices, and street shop owners shut down in response to a rumor that some criminals had arrived in the state to enforce the IPOB sit-at-home order.
Earlier in the morning, information trickled in that a group of marauding criminals who were implementing the sit-at-home order had allegedly killed two individuals near Total Filling Station in Ihiala, setting the stage for panic.
Our correspondent observed that residents of major cities, including the state capital, Awka; Onitsha, Nnewi, and Ekwulobia were terrified for over two and a half hours.
It was gathered that prior to the killings in Ihiala, the criminals had dispersed sympathizers at a funeral in Umudike village in the same Ihiala area.
DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, the police spokesman, warned rumor spreaders to retract their actions or face police consequences.
He expressed disappointment with the way people spread rumors about insecurity in the state, stating, “I don’t know what these individuals hope to gain from instilling fear in others.”
In an earlier statement, the police image maker alerted residents that the command had noticed the circulation of fake videos and messages, falsely portraying the state as being under significant security threats. He warned that the command would ensure that anyone caught would face legal consequences.
He urged the public to promptly report any criminal activities or security threats by utilizing the following phone numbers: *07039194332* for the Command’s Control Room or contacting the Public Relations Officer PRO at 08039334002.