#Biafra@50: Markets, banks, schools, shut in compliance with IPOB, MASSOB sit-at-home order

Commercial activities were at low ebb in many states of the South Eastern and South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, on Tuesday, in apparent compliance to the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for Actuallisation of Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB).

The peculiar features from Onitsha to Aba, Enugu, Asaba, Owerri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, were stranded passengers, few turn-up at banks, offices, schools, stalls which opened, less busy roads and closed shops.

The situation was however different in Lagos, as Igbo traders, especially at Alaba International market, Trade fair, went on with their usual business activities.

These Igbos noted that they might have observed the sit-at-home order if they were in their hometown in the East.

There was no breakdown of law and order with security agencies, comprising the police, army, navy and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) strategically stationed across the cities.

IPOB and MASSOB had declared Tuesday, May 30, a public holiday for their supporters to commemorate 50 years of the declaration of the secessionist state of Biafra.

The groups had also said that the sit-at-home order was to remember those who died in the Nigerian civil war fought between Nigerian troops and rebel Biafra forces.

In Onitsha, many banks, schools, markets and government offices were closed, while transporters withdrew their services.

In Aba, all the five markets including Ariaria International Market, were shut, while roads in the commercial city were devoid of vehicular traffic.

Commercial vehicles from Benin and beyond heading to Onitsha parked by the roadside while many filling stations along the highway remained closed.

Consequently, travellers from Asaba to Onitsha were stranded with highway devoid of many commercial vehicles.

Security personnel were stationed at Upper Iweka, DMSGS Roundabout, MCC, FEGGE, Onitsha Bridgehead and 33 areas,while armed police detachment from the Police Command in Delta was sited at the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Mr Sam Okaula, said no incident had been reported in any part of the state as at noon.

In Asaba, Delta state, there was partial compliance to the sit-at-home order by the IPOB and MASSOB.

Several shops along the major streets of Nnebisi Road, Cable, Ibusa road, Mamy market (spare parts) and those at the popular Ogbeogonogo market were shut.

Although, economic activities went on as usual, there was a reduction in the number of commercial vehicles and tricycles on the roads and at motor parks in Asaba.

Some of the traders who opened for business told Nigerian Tribune that they did so for economic survival, even as they claimed not to be members of the group.

The scenario in Owerri, Imo State, was similar, as people shunned most markets, business centres, banks, schools while some of government workers refused to go to work for fear of being attacked by the IPOB members.

Even markets in Owerri which government instructed to open for businesses failed to attract business as the sellers and buyers stayed away except for a few.

Transport activities were also on a low leaving many passengers stranded, while parents instructed their wards or children not to attend school.

Those who went to school returned no sooner than they left.

At one of the closed banks in Owerri which Nigerian Tribune visited, the guard there said that, three days ago, they received order from their headquarters not to open their bank.

Residents of Enugu metropolis and its environs complied with the sit-at-home order with many people staying indoors and most of the major streets in Coal City deserted.

Nigerian Tribune observed that although the gates of Kenyatta and Ogbete main markets in Enugu were opened, many shops remained under lock and key and traders stayed away.

At Holy Ghost and Ogbete motor parks, only few travelers were seen while activities picked up at about 11 am, leaving some of the passengers stranded.

Further checks showed that commercial banks in Nsukka, Udi, Agbani and Awgu were opened for business with few costumers seen transacting business.

Meanwhile, civil servants (both in state Federal establishments) were in their offices carrying out their normal duties while students and pupils as well as teachers of primary and post-primary schools, who went to school, were turned back apparently for fear of insecurity.

A visit to Institute of Management and Technology ( IMT) Enugu showed empty classes, as lecturers and students were not seen in the campus located at Independence Lay-out, Enugu.

Only a handful of workers reported for work at some government establishments, including the state secretariat, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board and Independent National Electoral Commission offices.

Some public schools, including Urban Secondary School, Independence Layout and Institute of Management and Technology as well as Enugu State College of Education (Technical), were empty, while Government Secondary School in GRA as well as Government Technical College situated along Abakiliki Road – among others – are under lock and key.

At the ever-busy Peace Mass Transit Park located in the state capital, few buses seen inside were not loading even as some passengers were seen lurking around.

Speaking with TheCable, a passenger, who gave his name simply as Ebuka, said he was only able to get to Nsukka from Enugu through the help of an available taxi.

“I waited for about one hour at the park (Peace park) before I went to find a taxi going to Nsukka. I am not even sure they will be loading today,” he said.

Business activities in some parts of Port Harcourt were at a low ebb as many traders closed shops.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) check around the city of Port Harcourt showed that major business areas, especially those dominated by Igbo traders, were shut down.

However, some traders who were seen around their business premises said they came to monitor the situation and not to open for business.

Some normally very busy roads, such as the Port Harcourt/Aba expressway, Ikwerre Road and the East/West Roads witnessed light traffic.

Meanwhile, some traders at the Building Material Market and the Nkpolu Oro-worukwo Shopping Centre, Mile Three Diobu, Port Harcourt, expressed support for the IPOB and MASSOB call.

Chief Ike Nwaugo, a trader, said that the market union had given a directive stopping traders from opening their shops for business during the holiday.

A trader at the Oyigbo Truck Park, Mr Ignatius Okorie, said that the holiday declared in honour of Biafra was responsible for the low economic activity in the area.

However,  a lawyer,  Mr Chijokwu Wombu, has  criticised the observance of the holiday by some traders in Port Harcourt, saying, “ it is of no meaning.’’

He said the traders staying at home in adherence to the declaration of holiday did not make Rivers part of Biafra.

“I see the whole thing as mere showmanship, the traders merely pretend to have closed shops, but they are all milling around the business premises.

“I tell you that they are in business, just go close and ask for something, you will be surprised that they will sell to you, people should stop being deceptive,’’ he said.

Some Aba residents expressed satisfaction at compliance to the sit-at-home order.

A resident, Mr Azubuike Ibe said the compliance demonstrated unity among the Igbos.

“I am happy for this total compliance because since we were children, no government has ever given us this feeling of oneness. We are happy and thank God for it. It shows that Igbos will progress from now on,” he said.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has commended Igbos both at home and diaspora for their total compliance of the sit-at-home order issued by its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, on Tuesday, the group posited that all the people of Biafra both home and abroad complied in all totality.

Powerful said, “We also blame those saboteurs who were paid by the government to sabotage the restoration project because today Biafrans and IPOB members worldwide obeyed our Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We IPOB must be strong and we promise everybody that Biafra is here.”

“Biafrans have proven to the entire world that they need Freedom and the world must know that we are not going back in the quest for independence of Biafra. The sit-at-home order was a success and all the market, schools, Banks, Companies/industries, transport companies businesses in Biafra land were in total compliance. May God Almighty (Chukwu Okike Abiama) bless you all.”

“There was also total compliance for those in diaspora who marched on the streets of Taiwan, Chad, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Russia, Ukraine, Angola, Congo DRC, Mozambique, Luxembourg, Brazil, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Canada, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, France.”

“Those in Germany, Austria, Finland, South Africa, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin Republic, Gabon, Cape Verde, Madagascar, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Greece, Pakistan, India, Canada Tiriniga and Tobago, Isreal, Italy, Argentina, Bokinafaso, Tanzania, Sao tome and Principe, Australia, Japan, North and South Korea, Namibia, Niger Republic,  Tunisia Algeria, Cape Verde and many more where Biafrans observed the order issued by our supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Meanwhile, Mr Dede Uzor, the National Publicity Secretary of Campaign for Democracy, commended the agitators for maintaining law and order.

Uzor also commended security operatives for the mature manner in which they handled the situation.

“The Igbos have exercised their right by staying away from their businesses as mark of honour to those, who died during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, 50 years after, and this they did peacefully.

“I think they should be commended for their peaceful conduct and the security operatives for their mature manner of handling the situation,” Uzor said.