Tension has gripped Aba, Abia State, after soldiers took over the city in response to the killing of five of their colleagues.
The soldiers were attacked at a military checkpoint at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill, by gunmen believed to be enforcing the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The attack, which left two patrol vans and the checkpoint burnt, has sparked a massive military deployment in the city. Residents are staying indoors in fear of reprisal, while markets and business centers have been shut down. Military helicopters are hovering over the area, and soldiers are patrolling the streets in armored vehicles.
The military crackdown has disrupted normal life in Aba, with schools closed and motorists forced to take alternative routes to avoid military checkpoints. The Army Public Relations Officer, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Lt. Innocent Omale, could not be reached for comment.
The development has raised concerns about the escalating violence in the region, which has been plagued by separatist agitation and military crackdowns. The situation remains volatile, with residents calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
