Pupils and students in some schools in Onitsha and neighbouring communities, Anambra State, were yesterday chased out of their classrooms by hoodlums who claimed to be enforcing “Biafra Day” in the state.

The miscreants were said to have also invaded markets and public places to chase traders and workers away.

There were fears among residents whether to go out for their daily businesses following rumours of a shift of Biafra Day celebrated every May 30, which coincided with the Monday’s sit-at-home.

While some resolved to stay indoors for fear of being attacked, others, who stepped out returned home.

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Those, who spoke to The Nation at one of the markets, said the hoodlums stormed the market as early as 8.45am, insisting that they close their shops and go home.

IPOB’s spokesman Emma Powerful refuted the rumour, saying the group had not declared any sit-at-home in the Southeast.

Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that armed criminals harassing innocent road users were engaged by security personnel on patrol.

He said the hoodlums fled after the engagement.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday condemned the alleged abduction of Rev Fr. Oliver Okpala in Sokoto State.

The group chided the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over what it termed deliberate neglect of the cleric who hails from Oboama Nguru Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area in Imo State.

In a statement by Powerful, IPOB alleged that the neglect was informed by the cleric’s ethnic background.

It urged CAN to fight for the release of the priest who was  kidnapped last week.