As the Army on Friday vowed to respond fiercely to the killing of five soldiers in Abia, tension has risen in the State.
Soldiers on Friday laid a siege on Aba, Abia state, over the the killing that took place at a checkpoint located at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill on Thursday.
Gunmen suspected to be enforcers of the sit at home order directed by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, had attacked the checkpoint and killed five soldiers and burnt two patrol vans as well as their checkpoint.
The tension over the killing has increased with military helicopters on Friday hovering over the Ogbor Hill area and environs.
The development has left residents in fear as many resorted to scampering for safety in the face of patrol teams of soldiers moving on top speed.
It was gathered soldiers had stormed Cemetery, Ngwa road, Nsulu markets and other business centres and ordered traders to leave the areas.
Many schools in the city didn’t open for studies as parents did not allow their children to leave for school while some schools closed before midday.
Vanguard reported that residents of Umuola, Ukaegbu, Ehere, New Umuahia and Ururuka roads in Ogbor Hill and Obohia and Ohanku in Ndiegoro area, as well as adjoining areas have remained indoors for fear of reprisal from soldiers.
Fierce looking soldiers have also barricaded the Aba – Umuahia section of the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway.
Passengers now alight at Arungwa, Umuekea, Isiala Ngwa and Ntigha junctions and trek a kilometer while raising their hands. To avoid the situation, some motorists navigate through local routes to avoid the numerous military checkpoints on the expressway.