Panic in Abakaliki over gunmen invasion

There was panic in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State on Monday following rumors of gunmen invasion of the city causing residents to run for their lives.
Residents opened for normal business activities when rumours of the invasion by gurnmen said to be implementing the five-day sit-at-home declared by pro-separatist groups in the southeast filtered in.
The sit-at-home, which was denied by Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), was said to have been declared by Finland-based Simon Ekpa.
The situation led to a rowdy situation in the city with traders forced to close their shops and retire to their homes.
Many others took refuge in hotels and anywhere they could find or fear of running into the gunmen.
Ababaliki was fully deserted as citizens scampered for safety while thousands of traders abruptly closed their shops for fear of being killed.
An eyewitness, Chidebere, said the gunmen invaded Ahia-Ohuru market and started shooting sporadically to scare people away.
But Police spokesperson, Chris Anyanwu debunked allegations of shootings by gunmen in the city.
Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, Aliyu Garba said there was no invasion by gunmen in the State.
He asked the citizens of the State to remain calm.
Garba noted further that he had deployed hundreds of police officers to go on patrol, looking for the said unknown gunmen.
But Ebonyi State Government confirmed the attack by gunmen on a provision shop at Ahịa Ofu market.
Special Security Consultant (SSC) to the State Government, Stanley Okoro Emegha, stated this in a statement.
He urged the people to go about their businesses as the city is safe and under control of security agencies
Emegha noted that no life was lost as being circulated by rumour mongers and enemies of the state.
He said all Government functions still stand as scheduled because the state is fully and absolutely under control.