Suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) reportedly abducted four newborn babies from a maternity hospital in Nkpologwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The gunmen also took the wrappers and clothes of the women who had just given birth. However, no one was killed or injured during the attack.

While the attackers' motives behind the attack remain unclear, residents are worried that it may have been done for ritualistic purposes.

"They didn't shoot as usual but they drove to the hospital early morning, took the newly born babies, and drove off," a patient told Garowe Online. "We were told that they threatened to kill anybody who opened his or her mouth in that hospital. Everybody is living in fear now in Anambra," added the patient.

One of the doctors, who didn't want to be named, said that since they succeeded in their latest strategy, they were likely to do it again.

President Muhammadu Buhari expressed shock and disbelief over the incident and has directed security agencies to take immediate action in reducing criminal activity in the South East region of the country.

Reacting to the report, Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Friday said that "President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock over the reported kidnapping."

However, Paul Nwosu, the Commissioner for Information in Anambra State, has issued a statement refuting reports of an attack in the state.

Nwosu described the reports as "sponsored fiction" intended to spread fear among residents.

"The Government of Anambra State wishes to state in very clear terms that the report is not true. No such attack took place in Anambra State and no babies were abducted," he said.

"These are merely fictitious, sponsored through dishonest and unethical reporters to create fear among Ndi Anambra, but they will not succeed as the Government has ensured there are enough boots on the ground to protect our people this Yuletide. Anybody that dares the government resolve to ensure a peaceful season will only have himself to blame."

"Government is urging Ndi Anambra to go about their normal businesses without fear," the statement read.

The proscribed secessionist group, IPOB, and its militia arm, ESN, have threatened to make Anambra ungovernable because the government stepped up security to stop their campaign of violence in the Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, and Abia state in the southeast. The group has been engaging in a violent campaign to create a sovereign country of Biafra, similar to what happened in 1967.

Representational image (baby)
IBTimes US