Pandemonium swept through Christian congregations in Umunze, located in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as armed soldiers stormed various churches, forcing worshippers to disperse.
The military presence in the community was accompanied by stern warnings that church services, movement, and market activities would be suspended indefinitely.
According to THE SUN NIGERIA, Eyewitnesses reported that the soldiers arrived at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church as worshippers were gathering for the 6am Mass.
One of the armed soldiers approached the altar and ordered the entire congregation to leave the church, citing the murder of their colleagues by gunmen in the town on Thursday night.
Similar incidents occurred at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, where armed soldiers disrupted the services and forced parishioners, including priests, to evacuate the premises.
At St. Peter’s Anglican Church, a teacher leading the Bible Study was ordered to drop the microphone, and all attendees were made to leave the church.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that some soldiers resorted to flogging male worshippers who resisted the unlawful invasion of their places of worship. The sudden lockdown of the community left many residents stranded, with traders at the busy Nkwo Market hurriedly closed their shops.
Umunze has been facing a growing threat from criminals operating from neighboring states, with more than 15 people recently kidnapped and large sums of money paid as ransom for their release. The hoodlums have also targeted public phone-charging centers, stealing all the phones.
Residents have pleaded with the government to establish military checkpoints on the Umuchu and Ogbunka roads, which have become escape routes for kidnappers and gunmen terrorizing the town. The existing checkpoints at Nawfia and Ihitte are insufficient to secure the long stretch of road from Umuchu to Ogbunka.
A fierce gun battle erupted between soldiers and gunmen on Thursday night in Umunze. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the gunmen were spotted speeding along the Umunze-Ogbunka Road in a black jeep, jumping bumps and barricades. Soldiers arrived shortly after and engaged in a terrifying gun duel that lasted for hours.
The incident resulted in the death of two soldiers, according to reports. Simon Ekpa, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), took to social media to praise the tactical unit of the Biafran Defence Force, fueling speculations that the attack was orchestrated by the secessionist group.