A Nigerian soldier was on Thursday murdered in Etekuru, Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State by hoodlums.
Africa Daily News, New York gathered that the soldier was ambushed and killed, while his rifle was stolen.
In a reprisal, soldiers invaded the community and burnt houses.
The incident came two weeks after soldiers razed down houses in Izombe in the Oguta Local Government Area of the state following the killing of two soldiers.
It was gathered that the crisis in Orsu Ihitte Ukwa started after Tuesday’s killing of two traditional rulers in neighbouring Okwudor.
The tension snowballed into clashes between some youth and security operatives as the community observed the sit-at-home ordered by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB) following Thursday’s arraignment of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Read Also: Izombe Mayhem: Uzodinma Decries Killing Of Soldiers, Statesmen
Soldiers were alleged to have gone round the town burning shops, houses, and property of the villagers.
The casualty figures could not be ascertained but the town has been deserted as many have fled their homes.
Efforts to get the reaction of Army Public Relations Officer, Capt. Joseph Akubo, were in vain as his line was out of reach when our correspondent tried to reach him.
Meanwhile, roads and streets in Owerri, the state capital, were virtually empty as residents observed what has been described as the ‘mother of all ‘sit-at-home’, on Thursday.
Asides from the weekly Monday order which has grounded all social and economic activities in the South East region, Thursday’s action was ordered by the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu, their leader, who was arraigned in court in continuation of his treason trial.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
