– Passengers stranded in remote Rivers community
– Soldiers blocking highway leaving passengers stranded.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Multiple trucks, petroleum tankers, and vehicles find themselves stranded around the Oyigbo axis of the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway in Rivers State as security forces block the Imo River border on Friday. The blockade comes in response to the killing of soldiers by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra in Abia State, who were enforcing the sit-at-home order in observance of the May 30 ‘Biafra Day’.
The resultant long queues have left hundreds of passengers stranded, with movement to neighbouring Abia State severely restricted. Reports of sporadic gunfire by suspected IPOB members at the Oyigbo roundabout and Kom-Kom community in Oyigbo LGA in Rivers State have been linked to the blockade.
Trucks queued along the border between Abia and Rivers State, en route to various parts of the South-East, have been unable to progress. Drivers report being stuck at the location since Thursday, fearful of potential attacks in Abia State due to the prevailing tension.
One truck driver recounted, “Heavily armed Army men blocked the Imo River and the border between Abia and Rivers State. So, there has been no movement because of what is happening in Abia State. We have been like this since Friday morning.”
Another driver named Ikechukwu shared his experience of sleeping on the road with his motor boy due to the barricade by soldiers. “You can see that soldiers have blocked this Imo gate here. So there is no road and we have been here without food. Let the government come to our aid because already there is serious hardship in this country,” he lamented.
Contrary to reports of unrest, residents of Oyigbo town maintain that the area remains peaceful. Vehicular movements continue without hindrance, and businesses operate normally in the calm atmosphere. One resident affirmed, “I’m living in Oyigbo here and there is nothing like gunshots. Where there is a problem is in Abia State after the fracas on Thursday. But the information we are getting now is that soldiers have blocked the expressway, and cars and trucks cannot move. But Oyigbo is calm.”
The situation underscores the need for swift resolution to prevent further disruptions and address the challenges faced by drivers and passengers affected by the blockade.
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Passengers stranded Rivers community soldiers block highway stranded passengers Rivers community soldiers block highway.
