Killing Of Soldiers: Many People, Truck Trapped As Heavily Armed Troops Block Imo River Border

Reports emerged on Friday of significant congestion of trucks, petroleum tankers, and vehicles in the Oyigbo area along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway in Rivers State.

According to sources, the congestion stemmed from security operatives’ blockade at the Imo River border between Rivers and Imo States due to the Biafra Day sit-at-home order.

“The situation here is terrible. We are stuck because of the incident in Aba,” shared an anonymous source.

The blockade followed the alleged killing of soldiers by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia State who were enforcing the sit-at-home directive.

The congestion intensified after sporadic shooting early Thursday by suspected IPOB members at the Oyigbo roundabout and Kom-Kom community in Oyigbo LGA, Rivers State.

Trucks and vehicles, bound for various parts of the Southeast, formed long queues along the Abia-Rivers border, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

“We’ve been here since Friday morning due to the heavy military presence. We heard about the clash in Abia State,” revealed one driver.

Another driver, Ikechukwu, described their plight, “We’ve been stranded without food since Thursday evening. The government needs to intervene; the hardship is unbearable.”

Contrary to reports of violence, residents of Oyigbo town insisted on its peaceful state, with vehicles moving freely and shops open for business.

“I live in Oyigbo, and there’s been no gunfire. The issue is in Abia State, but now soldiers have blocked the expressway,” affirmed a resident.