There is a palpable sense of tension in Imo State as enforcers affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their sit-at-home campaign set fire to a section of the well-known Orie Amaraku market, as well as buses and tricycles in the Isiala Mbano council area. Eyewitnesses report that these armed individuals arrived around 9 pm, armed with explosive devices, and proceeded to ignite the area, causing panic among traders and residents who scrambled for safety. The perpetrators, arriving in three Sienna vehicles and accompanied by motorcyclists, were heard shouting slogans urging compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by IPOB. Additionally, they issued warnings to the residents, specifically instructing them not to open the market on Saturday. Some fearful residents, who spoke anonymously to the media, revealed that the attackers targeted various vehicles, setting them ablaze, and even resorted to assaulting motorcyclists and destroying their means of transportation. The attackers made it clear that they would shoot anyone they encountered, asserting their authority over the entire southeastern region until the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained IPOB leader. As of now, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, has not yet provided any official response to inquiries regarding the incident.
