As IPoB sit-at-home order takes effect: Empty streets in South-East states

SOCIAL and economic activities were grounded across the five states of the South-East geopolitical zone of the country on  Monday in compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra  (IPoB). IPoB, led by Nnamdi Kanu, had issued the no-movement directive to mark what it termed the Biafra Day, a  reference to May 30, 1967, when the General Yakubu Gowonled Federal Government declared a full-blown war with the then Eastern Region government headed by the late Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, for declaring the section of the country an independent nation.

There were deserted streets, locked shops and offices, shut markets, malls, plazas and filling stations in Awka, Umuahia,  Aba, Enugu, Abakaliki, Nsukka, Owerri, among other cities in the five states of the region. Enugu In Enugu, major markets, including Mayor, Garki, Ogige, Ogbete and New Market, were all shut, just as banks, other financial institutions, shops, malls and newspaper distribution axis did not open for business.

Typically busy roads in Enugu like  Holy Ghost, New Haven, Abakpa Agbani, Obiagu were also deserted. The order also affected health institutions with several hospitals shutting their doors in compliance, while some residents were seen sitting in front of their houses observing the situation. Several residents of Enugu said they were not averse to the order as it was to remember fallen heroes.

In Abakpa Nike in Enugu East, there were no activities except children who were seen playing football on the deserted streets.

Anambra Socioeconomic activities were grounded in Awka, the Anambra State capital, as hotels, restaurants,  markets, petrol and gas filling stations in the city and surrounding villages remained closed.

Also, schools, government offices and banks, even hairdressing salons, mechanic workshops and roadside vulcanises, amongst other artisans, in the three major cities of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi were shut for the day’s business.

The  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that businesses in Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of  Anambra,  were completely shut down, though there was the deployment of heavy security in the area.

Popular Main Market, Onitsha, along with Ose, Ochanja, Relief and Bridgehead markets did not open for business.  All the roads leading into and out of Onitsha, especially, the bridgehead that links Asaba and western states, Enugu- Anambra at Amasea border and those leading into and exit of Nnewi, the industrial city of Anambra State was empty, as residents stayed away in obedience to the Biafra group’s order.

Also, the ever-busy Onitsha- Enugu Expressway of the Onitsha end of the Niger Bridge leading to Awka, the Onitsha- Owerri Road, leading to Owerri, the Nnewi -Okigwe Expressway, the Onitsha- Asaba Expressway from the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge were all deserted as no single vehicle was seen moving.

There was the presence of joint security personnel, comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence and Immigration at both ends of Niger Bridgehead and Oga Junction by Atani Road respectively, ensuring that there was no breakdown of law and orders by criminal elements At Awka, the state capital of Anambra, banks, in their permanent locations along Enugu- Onitsha Expressway did not open for business at 12 noon when the Nigerian Tribune visited. The movement of people was restricted as soldiers ensured that those who unavoidably needed to move round, like journalists, doctors, nurses,  and people on essential duties properly identified themselves before they were allowed to head for their respective destinations.

Most of the shops at the popular Aroma junction, Awka, Zik’s Avenue, Unizik junction and other popular places also did not open for business.

Ebonyi 
There was over 90 per cent compliance with the order in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State  capital, with only a few persons
seen in front of their houses.

The boisterous nature of activities at the popular Sperain Deo junction in Abakaliki was zero as all shops and parks were locked while there was no loading or offloading of passengers or goods.

At the International Market, no single shop opened, but people were just hanging around within the premises. It was gathered that gunmen attacked a motorcyclist and set ablaze his motorbike on the Nnodo axis of Abakaliki for not complying with the order.

Abia
Aba, known to be a hub of business activities, was also characterised by closed shops, shut stalls, empty streets and zero business activity. NAN reported that the central town district of Main Park, Industry Road, St Michael’s Road, and others were deserted on Monday. The busy Osisioma junction which leads into the city of Aba was deserted. The main markets in Aba hich include Cemetery Road, Ahia Ohuru, Ekeoha, also known as Shopping Centre, Relief Market beside  Amuzukwu Primary School, Orieugba market, Ariaria International and Asa Nnentu spare parts markets were all under lock and key.

There was also no vehicular movement except a few tricycles that occasionally passed by, while residents were sighted in clusters in front of their homes. Unlike the previous years, there was no convoy of security patrol vans around the city n any ‘show of force’.

The usual calm in the state capital might also not be unconnected with the Saturday burning of the State Criminal Investigation Department, CID station on Uzuakoli Road by yet-to-be-identified armed men.

Imo
Activities were at a standstill in Owerri, the Imo State capital, with markets, roadside shops, malls and filling stations docked.  There was, however, heavy security presence in major cities and towns to include Akachi, Okigwe and Dick Tiger Roads, Imo State University Junction, Control Junction, Airport Junction, Obiangwu-Ngor Okpala and Amakohia-  Akwakuma Flyover and the World Bank/ Umuguma Junction. Military helicopters were seen hovering around the Sam  Mbakwe Cargo Airport as part of the security surveillance in the area.

Some residents, who spoke with NAN on the development, said they obeyed the order to be on the safe side.  Traders,  civil servants, commercial bus drivers, motorist among others deserted the roads, totally observing the order.

Delta
There was partial compliance to the sit-at-home order in Asaba, Delta State capital and its environs. Public and private schools, banks, markets and shops in Asaba, Ogwashi Uku were closed while few vehicles were seen on the roads. Nigerian Tribune reports that the popular Ogbogonogo market and Koka junction in Asaba, which used to be a beehive of activities,  were virtually empty.

However, some of the banks later opened their gates to customers at about 12 noon. Members of IPOB were said to have had a brief but peaceful protest in Cable area of the state capital in the Black marketers sell petrol at N300 per litre in Ebonyi Black marketers in major streets of Abakaliki, Ebonyi  State, cashed in on the sit-at-home order by IPoB to make brisk business.

The black marketers sold petrol for between N200 and N350 per litre. In separate interviews with NAN, a cross-section of the hawkers expressed happiness over the development. Police confirm death of hoodlum enforcing order The police in Ebonyi State confirmed the death of a suspected hoodlum in Abakaliki. Police spokesperson, Loveth Odah,  told NAN that the hoodlum was killed in a gun battle with the police. She explained that hoodlums were intimidating and forcing people to comply with the directive of the proscribed group and had to be stopped.

She said members of the proscribed IPOB were intercepting motorcycles, molesting,  threatening and shooting sporadically into the air to scare people from engaging in their normal activities. “One of the hoodlums lost his life when they opened fire on our men.

“People were going about their legitimate businesses and activities in the area but the hoodlums were distracting and forcing them to obey the IPOB’s ‘sit-at-home directive. “They blocked some axis in the metropolis, collecting motorcycles and burning them,” Odah said. IPOB expresses delight over full compliance IPoB expressed delight at the full compliance to the sit-at-home order recorded in the South-East and some states in the South-South.

According to the IPoB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the success of the exercise had sent panic waves down the spine of their oppressors. In a statement released by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, on Monday evening, the group commended South-East governors, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and friends and lovers of Biafra freedom for making the exercise a success.

The IPoB statement reads: “We immensely thank the people of Akwa Ibom, Cross  Rivers, Anambra, Abia, Delta, Imo,  Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Kogi states as well as Igbanke, Idoma and Igede people for being part of the success story. We equally extend our appreciation to our brothers and sisters in Ambazonia for their wonderful support. “We cannot thank the Biafran  Diaspora community for their inestimable contributions in our struggle for independence. “Biafrans in the Diaspora did us proud on Sunday, May  30 when they trooped out in their thousands to celebrate the Biafra Day in their respective host countries. We are very proud of you all.

“Above all, we are grateful to the Almighty God, Chukwu Okike Abiama for making the exercise peaceful and hitch-free. We are peace lovers and  will continue to push for our freedom peacefully.”