Several Nigerian soldiers were reportedly murdered in an ambush by gunmen suspected to be sit-at-home enforcers on Biafra Heroes Day, which was designated by the Indigenous People of Biafra throughout the South-East.
According to various sources who posted video clips on X, the ambush on the soldiers occurred on Thursday at the Obikabia crossroads in Ogbor Hill.
The soldiers were reportedly ambushed by the gunmen, leading to a fatal attack.
“According to video reports posted on social media by a resident, the soldiers were ambushed, resulting in a deadly attack on a day the South East is mourning the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Biafra War of 1967-1970,” a report by Politics Nigeria stated.
In the now-viral video, some men set fire to a military car, and gunshots can be heard. The streets are deserted as locals observe the sit-at-home policy.
The identities of the assailants are unknown, and the Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement about the incident because data is still coming.
Earlier, the separatist group declared a May 30 sit-at-home day in the five Southeast states, warning that there would be no business operations or movements to remember Igbo people who died during the 1967–1970 civil war.
In response, the Enugu State administration rejected IPOB’s sit-at-home order for the day, stating that it has placed security agencies on red alert to prevent any attempt to disrupt law and order.
In a statement issued last week, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful advised the West African Examination Council to reschedule WASSCE exams scheduled for May 30.
It also directed Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra State to move its convocation scheduled for the same date.
On Wednesday, our correspondent visited key marketplaces and schools across Anambra State and noticed a high security presence with security vehicles, as well as residents making last-minute purchases to prevent being stuck.
Posting the same video on his X page, Simon Ekpa, the factional leader of the proscribed IPOB, wrote, “The resistance fighters are in high spirits. Deciding the terrorist’s state.”