Security operatives comprising Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, Department of State Security Service (DSS) and other agencies early Thursday morning cordoned off the Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Building Materials Market following the discovery of a cache of arms and ammunition.
News Express gathered that security agents were drafted to the market in a commando-style around 7:30 a.m. to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
The security agents prevented both traders and customers access in and out of the market while those already inside before they came were not allowed to leave.
They also closed off Afikpo road leading to the market, forcing motorists to take alternate routes.
Afikpo road is the main entrance into Abakaliki from the Enugu – Abakaliki expressway and the closure caused heavy traffic around the area.
It was also gathered that the State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, later visited the market around 11:00 a.m. to see things for himself.
“We are still investigating,” a top security source said.
A source at the market claimed the ammunition were loaded in a truck and disguised with other goods. The source claimed that the goods were bound for Yola, Adamawa State.
The claims could not be independently verified at the time of this publication.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) Philip Maku did not respond to numerous queries for comment.
News Express
