There was serious tension and confusion in some parts of Owerri, the Imo State capital as some gun-wielding hoodlums suspected to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) took to the streets to enforce the suspended sit-at-home order.
According to the report by Crime Channel, the gunmen stormed streets, shot sporadically into the air which had people panicking and scrambling for safety.
The commotion which reportedly started at Wethral road, quickly spread to neighbouring Mbaise road, Douglas road and Naze along Aba- Owerri road.
Motorists quickly made u-turns while many passengers disembarked. Some vehicles collided with one another as drivers made frantic efforts to turn back from the affected areas.
Traders at the multi-million Alaba International market and Naze Cluster markets quickly closed their shops and locked the entrances leading to the market.
Hoodlums took advantage of the situation to scatter some wares already displayed by shop owners who fled.
Schools immediately closed while parents rushed to pick their children.
Despite the suspension of the IPOB issued sit-at-home order, there has been apprehension in the South-East.
Although spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful, had said the group had cancelled the weekly order and promised to cut off the ears of those who enforce it, some members of the organisation are adamant that the sit-at-home order must continue till the leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu is released.