Alleged dropping of ‘warning letters on some areas by some unknown persons forced many residents of Umuahia, Abia State capital to stay indoors for the fear of the unknown.
The letters, which were allegedly dropped by the said unknown persons allegedly warned residents of such places to observe sit-at- home every Monday or face the consequences.
Some residents of Uzuakoli road, Isi gate, Ubani market and even some transporters had last week, claimed that the said letters threatened to teach Umuahia residents the lesson of their lives for not obeying sit-at-home.
It was also claimed that the letters identified Umuahia residents as stubborn people who always went about their normal businesses .
However, some residents described the story of the warning letter as rumours.
The fear of this letter sank deep in residents on Monday as many shops were not opened by their owners from 6: am to 3:30 pm. Only few shops were seen open.
A civil servant who refused to go to work told News Echo, “the place I work is lonely to access and if there is any problem, to get a vehicle to return may not be easy. So I decided to play safe by not going to work.”
Some private- owned primary and secondary schools sent messages to parents of pupils, telling them that teaching and learning had been suspended for the day.
All banks in the State capital did not open for business while the city epic centre known as Isi gate and Uzuakoli road were the shadows of themselves as at 2:30 pm when News Echo visited the area.
A teacher with a private school told Journalists that she was on her way to school when she received information from her school to go back and resume on Tuesday, which left her confused.
Human and vehicular movements were also down, while in many government offices visited, including Umuahia North and Umuahia South, Apumiri, the work force met on duty was nothing to write home about.
Also, the reports that a Police station was attacked at Otoko Obowo, Imo State, a stone-throw from Umuahia and the reported attack on passengers in Enugu by unknown persons also allegedly increased the fear in some residents
However, Abia State Police Command has always assured Abia residents of its commitment to safeguarding their lives and property.
The command has always been conducting a round -the -town patrol on daily basis on some major streets of Umuahia and adjoining areas, to reassure residents of their safety.
