Gunmen kill four vigilante operatives in South-east Nigeria

Gunmen have killed four vigilante operatives in two communities in Anambra State, Nigeria’s South-east.

The hoodlums invaded the communities between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Monday, residents say.

Some residents suspect that the attackers, given the day and manner of the operation, were enforcers of the illegal Monday sit-at-home order.

The illegal order is often being enforced by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The first attack occurred at Abatete, a community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

Residents said the armed men invaded the community and opened fire on three vigilante operatives, who engaged the attackers in a shootout.

“But they were overpowered and killed by the gunmen,” a resident, who asked not to be named, said.

Multiple sources confirmed that the vigilante operatives were attached to the President-General of the community, Ezebinobi Ezigbo.

In a separate attack minutes later, some armed men also attacked Ukpo, another community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.

Residents said the hoodlums stormed the community and opened fire on vigilante operatives, killing one of them at the spot.

“They killed one vigilante member and burnt their vehicle at Ukpo Roundabout. They also killed a motorcycle rider,” another resident said.

Abatete and Ukpo are neighbouring communities, but are in different local government areas.

However, it is unclear, for now, if the separate attacks were carried out by the same gunmen.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the separate attacks and killings in a statement on Monday.