Biafra day celebration records total compliance in Anambra

The Nigerian Tribune on Thursday gathered that residents of Anambra State were in total compliance with the sit-at-home directive, order by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB and the Movement for the Actualization of Biafra, MASSOB, to honour Biafra heroes and heroines who died during the Nigeria Biafra Civil war.

While IPoB called it ‘Biafra Heroes Day Celebration’, MASSOB on its part called it “Biafra Anniversary Day”, but the groups have the same objective, which is honouring Igbo across Igbo-speaking states in Nigeria that lost their lives during the civil war.

In Awka, the state capital, there is a total shutdown of day-to-day activities including banks, petrol stations, schools, hospitals, government offices, popular markets and motor parks over the fear of the unknown.

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The ever-busy Enugu-Onitsha expressway at 9 am was devoid of human and vehicular movements, but popular motor parks around the city were also deserted.

All the markets in Onitsha the commercial city and Nnewi the industrial town of the State also closed to observe the day, while schools, banks, hospitals, and government offices in the two towns and transport companies closed to observe the day as well.

Roads known for their busy commercial, business and transport activities were equally deserted by motorists and passengers, while all the streets with entry and exit gates, as common in Onitsha and Nnewi, were under lock and key as vehicles entering and exiting were not allowed by security operative manning them.

Busy roads with commercial transport activities like Onitsha Enugu expressway, Onitsha Asaba Expressway, Onitsha Odoekpe – Atani road, Onitsha Nkpor – Ogidi old and new roads, Onitsha- Obosi Umuoji road, Onitsha -Nsugbe -Nkwelle Ezunaka to Aguleri roads were all deserted, while Nkpor New Motor Spare Part to Upper Iweka road that is never bereft of passengers any time of the day were all detested by motorists and pedestrian.

Security agents were not seen at their usual extortion checkpoints as the points were equally deserted, there was no patrolling of roads and major streets as done on Mondays by security agents who move around in convoys in the name of “Operation Show Your Force” that comprises. the Police, the Army, the Navy, NSCDC and FRSC officials.

In the Nnewi area the ever-busy old Oba Nnewi road. Oba Ichi Nnewi road leading to Nnewi through Edo Ezemewi road, and the traffic light that leads to Ozubulu road were deserted just as Nnewi Nnobi Igboukwu roads were deserted by motorists and passengers, no single market including dared open their markets, just as street traders did not as usual display their goods on the roads.

Most residents who frownedly observed the day, were disappointed that the Police and other security agents who urged them to go about their lawful business were nowhere to be seen as the celebration unfold.

Nigerian Tribune also gathered that there have been lots of messages circulating on the internet, and purported to be coming from IPOB members, threatening anyone who dares to leave their house on May 30. This is it was gathered may be the reason for the total compliance to the sit at home order declared by the group in Anambra State.

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