By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

There was heavy panic in the boundary between Oko community in Orumba North Local Government Area and Ekwulobia community, Aguata council area, both in Anambra State, Monday morning following shooting in the area by gunmen.

It was gathered that the incident caused indigenes and residents of the area to scamper into hiding, just as a Toyota Sienna vehicle belonging to an unidentified indigene of Isuofia, neighbouring community to Ekwulobia, was burnt.

A source in the area said: “The man was driving past at the area when the men started shooting. He left his car in the middle of the road and ran for his dear life, but before he could return, the men had set it ablaze.”

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, said that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Eworo, has deployed men to the area for reinforcement.

He listed the reinforcement teams to include, Police Mobile Operatives, Counter Terrorist Units, Special Forces and other tactical teams.

According to him, the teams are to address any security concern that may arise and to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng, has since ordered reinforcement teams from the command headquarters to intensify patrols around major areas like Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, Aguata, Awka and other environs in the state,” Ikenga added.

There are feelers that the gunmen are suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).