The Abia State Government has urged the Nigerian Army to undertake its Operation Python Dance II with caution and urged the state residents to desist from confronting armed men in uniform while performing their duties.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Governor of the state, Ude Oko Chukwu, and sighted by one of our correspondents on Monday, he said the state government had the responsibility to ensure the safety of all persons resident in Abia State.
He said Abia had been a peaceful state and it was the desire of the government to ensure that it remained so.
Meanwhile, residents of Afaraukwu Umuahia, the home town of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, have asked the Federal Government to direct security agencies in the country to focus their operation on armed robbers and kidnappers and the leave peaceful community alone.
Speaking on the clash between the Army and IPOB members last Sunday, a resident of the community identified only as Mercy, said the community was still in apprehension after the clash that left about three people including one Mrs. Grace Nwokeukwun injured.
Mercy, who sell fruits in the area, said she was afraid of opening for business early in the morning, adding that she only came out for business at about 4 pm, when she noticed that peace had returned to the community.
She said, “Soldiers should stop to threaten the peace of this community. The Army and the Police have not been doing their job very well, all they do is to intimidate people. On the road if they stop a car they demand money and if the money is not given to them, the car will be parked, yet armed robbers are having a field day in the country. They should go after criminals and not people of a peaceful community like ours.”
A barber in the community, who gave his name only as Godwin, said he opened his salon at about 7am, “because the place has been calm.”
He said many shop owners did not open for business as a result of the incident on Sunday.
A member of IPOB identified as Chinatu, said the area had been calm since Monday morning, adding that there was no presence of soldiers or police in the community again.
He said, “People have been going about their normal business and the home of our leader (Kanu) is secured. Nothing bad is happening around here. Our members came around to perform their normal duties today, nobody ran away.”
