No fewer than two persons were reported killed yesterday and a Toyota Sienna bus burnt in Enugu State by hoodlums said to be enforcing the Monday sit-at-home order in the South East.

The hoodlums were said to have opened fire on the popular Holy Ghost Park about 8.00a.m., chased traders and travellers away.

Driver of the burnt Sienna, who escaped unhurt, said he was standing a few metres away from the car waiting for passengers when the hoodlums came in a mini bus.

He said he felt they were armed robbers and ran for his dear life, but that by the time he looked back, he saw the vehicle in flames.

The gunmen reportedly opened fire in the park and hit some passengers. Enugu Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to inquiries on the incident at press time.

IMO State Government has accused the opposition of sponsoring enforcers of the order in the state. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba, in a statement, yesterday, accused the opposition of masterminding the order first put in place by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), before the separatist group cancelled it.

The statement also assured indigenes and residents of safety as they go about their businesses.

“Adequate security is in place to ensure uninterrupted flow of work and business. Everyone is advised to go about his or her normal duties. All heads of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are directed to conduct a nominal role of civil servants, to compile list of absentees for necessary disciplinary measures.

“Government, hereby, assures all residents of adequate security as they go about their lawful activities,” he stated. Despite the assurance, residents of the capital city and other parts of the state complied with the sit-at-home order yesterday.