Pandemonium broke out Tuesday evening at Nkpor
Junction in Idemili North Local Government Area of
Anambra state, near Onitsha, when information filtered
that a man suspected to be a Boko Haram member was
spotted in the area with explosive materials on his
person.
According to eye witness account, the man, a
Northerner, had boarded a bike from Umuoji community
to an undisclosed destination and the cyclist who
became uncomfortable with his mannerisms and the
contents of the passenger’s bag, suddenly stopped at
Nkpor junction and alerted the armed men of the
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who
quickly cordoned off the area and made to arrest the
man.
The Northerner resisted arrest and engaged the officers
in a struggle before punching one of them. The officers
finally overpowered him and frantically searched his bag
as on-lookers and inhabitants of the area scampered for
safety, suspecting that the man may be carrying a bomb
or other explosive device.
The news quickly spread within Onitsha and environs,
even as some shop owners within the area quickly made
efforts to close and run away from the scene.
Our reporter on the scene confirmed the incident from a
civil defense officer, who said officers over-powered the
suspect and whisked him off to their office for
interrogation.
He noted that on getting to their office, the man was
searched and some six inches nails and a lighter were
found in his bag.
There has been heightened fear and apprehension in
Anambra since the reported relocation from the north of
the detained Boko Haram insurgents to Ekwulobia
prisons in Aguata Local Government Area of the state. A
situation that has made residents fear that Boko
Haram might invade the state in retaliatory attacks.
