Aba residents panic, security beefed up over alleged Boko Haram infiltration

On Wednesday, June 11, residents of Aba, Abia state woke up to the scary news of the presence of some members of the dreaded terrorist group — Boko Haram– in the city, the story which wasted no time in circulating all through the commercial hub of the state was however, denied by the Abia State Police command. It  was alleged that members of the sect had loaded some explosives inside trailers which were bringing onions from the northern parts of the country into Aba. 

According to Daily Sun reports: It was further rumoured that the insurgents had  successfully beaten the web of security along their route from the North to Aba, before the explosives were discovered by some vigilant residents ,when the onions were being offloaded from the trailers at the Hausa market at Uratta, near Aba. It was equally rumoured that security operatives were immediately alerted over the incident. For some days now, security has been beefed up in and around the city, which tended to lend vent to the rumour that has sent fears down the spines of residents.

Commuters, including women entering the city  from all points were frisked by security agents, and their vehicles thoroughly searched, a situation that has caused heavy traffic build up in all the affected routes. In addition, tricycle operators popularly called “Keke Napep” have been banned from operating beyond 7pm, creating attendant hardship on commuters, a move that was said to be due to security reasons. When contacted, Abia State police command public relations officer (PPRO), Geoffrey Ogbonna dispelled the Boko Haram rumour. According to him, “there is nothing like Boko Haram infiltrating the city. The rumour is baseless; at least we should be in the know if there is anything like that, since they said the matter was reported to security agents.” Ogbonna urged the people of the state to go about their normal businesses without any fear.

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