Tension is increasing in Aba, Abia State, as soldiers have taken over the city following the killing of five of their colleagues at a military checkpoint located at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill.
Gunmen suspected to be enforcers of the sit-at-home order directed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had attacked the checkpoint and killed five soldiers and burnt two patrol vans.
The tension over the killing has increased with two military helicopters constantly hovering over the Ogbor Hill area and environs.
Reports said that residents have resorted to going into hiding whenever they sight the several patrol teams of soldiers cruising around the area
Further reports have it that soldiers had stormed Cemetery, Ngwa road, Nsulu markets and other business districts and ordered traders to leave the areas.
Many schools in the city did not open on Friday as parents did not allow their children to venture out of their homes, while some schools closed before midday.
The situation did not, however, affect commercial activities at the main motor park.
Meanwhile, residents of Umuola, Ukaegbu, Ehere, New Umuahia and Ururuka roads in Ogbor Hill and Obohia and Ohanku in Ndiegoro area, as well as adjoining areas, opted to remain indoors for fear of reprisal from soldiers.
Fierce looking soldiers have reportedly barricaded the Aba-Umuahia section of the Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway.
Passengers are directed to alight at Arungwa, Umuekea, Isiala Ngwa and Ntigha junctions and trek some distance with both hands raised in the air. Some motorists navigate through local routes to avoid the numerous military checkpoints on the expressway.
