Gunmen on Wednesday attacked Nwakpu Market in Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi and shot a motorcyclist in the head.
The gunmen also set a vehicle ablaze and destroyed property.
There has been tension in Ebonyi following a sit-at-home order by a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Simon Ekpa.
On Friday, Finland-based Simon Ekpa announced a sit-at-home in the South-East from December 9 to 14.
The commander of the Ebubeagu security outfit, Friday Nnanna, told journalists in Abakaliki that IPOB did not attack the Nwakpu market.
Mr Nnanna stated that the attackers were suspected robbers.
“What happened was that some boys entered the market to rob traders. They are not members of IPOB. But they came into the market with locally-made pistols,” said the Ebubeagu commander. “Right now, an investigation is ongoing. We are on track to get them. We are putting on our touchlight on them to arrest them.”
Chris Anyanwu, the spokesman for the police command in Ebonyi, also confirmed the attack.
Also in Imo State, hoodlums enforcing sit-at-home burnt motorcycles and vehicles in Isinweke, Ihite/Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.
Though no life was lost, the attack created panic in the town.
Mike Abattam, the public relations officer of the Imo State Police Command said normalcy has returned to the area after the deployment of security operatives to area.
(NAN)
