A deserted street in Enugu on Monday
Government and business activities suffered varying degrees of shutdown in the five Southeast states of Nigeria on Monday as residents and business owners locked their shops in compliance with the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Our findings showed that the Day 1 of the two-day forced curfew by IBOP was a huge success.
IBOP, which is the de facto controller of affairs of the region, ordered residents to steer clear of streets in its bid to hoist the Biafra flag, commemorate its ‘heroes’ and demand the release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing multiple federal charges/
Niger Daily News investigations revealed that commercial activities were absent in Onitsha and Nnewi, the commercial hub of Anambra State, where traders and manufacturers heeded IPOB’s call to close shops.
Monday’s sit-at-home was prefaced by the gory killing of no fewer than 13 persons in the Nibo community of the state by suspected militants.
Awka, the state capital, had skeletal activities in government offices, schools and financial houses. Those who opened their shops and offices stayed behind protectors and were watching out for any sign of trouble.
In Enugu City, the capital of Enugu State, and other cities, the IPOB order was fully implemented, with government and local council officials shunning their offices for fear of being targeted by IPOB enforcers.
Like most of his colleagues in the region, the state governor, Mr Peter Mbah had told residents to ignore the secessionist group and go about their lawful duties, but his call failed to excite the panic-stricken residents.
Ogbete and other markets in the state capital were deserted at midday, with major roads free of traffic all over the city.
A primary school teacher in the metropolis told our reporter that she and her colleagues heeded IBOP because in her words, “Governor Mbah will not be there to save us when the boys come to start killing.”
Feelers from Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, showed strict compliance with the order from the Biafra gang.
Our reporter with business activities at the popular Ariaria market at its lowest point of any Monday in recent months.
In Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi State, IBOP’s call yielded nearly 100 per cent compliance with government and financial activities brought to its knees.
Traders, buyers shun Abakaliki markets
All our sources in the town reported deserted roads, government offices, schools and even hospitals, as residents choose their safety over whatever businesses should have taken them out of their homes.
Markets were all shut down, with sellers and buyers absent in popular international and local markets.
Similar scenes were recorded in Owerri, the Imo State capital, where business and social activities were at a nadir.
Chief Declan Emelumba, the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, told newsmen: “Government workers are in their offices today, and the police and other security agencies are providing security for the people.”
However, a report said the government official’s statement differed strikingly from the situation on the ground across the state.
