Biafra Day: Enugu deserted as residents obey IPOB sit-at-home order

Enugu Main Market, Ogbete closed down

RESIDENTS of Enugu metropolis and its environs on Tuesday, complied with the sit-at-home order as many of them stayed indoors. Most of the major streets in the Coal City were deserted.

Nigerian Tribune observed that although Kenyatta and Ogbete main markets had their gates opened, but traders stayed away from their stalls as they kept them under lock and key.

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

Further checks showed that commercial banks were opened for business with few costumers seen transacting business.

It was learnt that civil servants (both in state Federal establishments) were in their offices carrying out their normal work 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 saw empty classes as lecturers and students were not seen in the campus located at Independence Layout, Enugu.

Many of the private schools in the state were on mid-term break.

Reports from Nsukka, Udi, Agbani and Awgu indicated that there was close compliance by the people.

Some of the residents interviewed in Enugu poured encomium on the leadership of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for leading the way for an independent state of Biafra.

A resident, Mazi Chike Okeke said that he was happy that the sit-at-home was successful, adding that the record indicated that there was restiveness in Igbo-land because of bad policies against the people of the old Eastern Region.

“We want Biafra or restructuring of Nigeria for Ndigbo to have their freedom. We are treated as slaves in Nigeria. There should be equity, justice and fair-play,” he added.

As at the time of filling this report, armed policemen and other security operatives were seen in strategic areas in Enugu to avert any break of law and order in the state.

Contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amarizu, said there was no arrest made so far in connection with the IPOB order.