Reports from Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia state, indicate that unlike the very tensed situation on Friday (31/05/24), a day after five soldiers were killed by unknown Gunmen in the city, activities began Saturday morning to pick up.
All parts of the city popularly known as Enyimba were on total lockdown on Friday as residents who tried to open their business centres were forced to close down following reports of arrests in different parts of the city and the resulting tension.
However, the Osisioma junction axis was yet to open for free flow of traffic mid-day Saturday leading to those coming into and exiting the city to seek alternative routes
Hanto Daily News gathered that though there were still serious unusual military presence in different areas of Aba, some daily markets such as Ariaria Internatitonal maket, Umungasi market, amongst others opened for business, while Cemetery market opened only the major gate to enable them monitor entrance into the premises.
However, Ngwa road market which was allegedly forced to close by security personnel on Friday remained closed for business this Saturday as at the time of filing this report.
Movement round the city also indicate that some shops and businesses opened for transactions this Saturday morning , though not as early as usual, because owners monitored the environment before deciding to step out for the day.
Speaking in separate interviews, residents including Patience Okoro, Chinyere Kalu, Ambrose Ochieze and Edward Maduka, described the current situation as disturbing and appealed to the Abia state Government to ensure that innocent citizens were not unduly molested by the security personnel whose mode of operations are raising concerns.
While commiserating with the military over the tragic loss of their personnel, the residents enjoined Aba people to go home earlier than usual to avoid unnecessary risks.
