The resurfaced sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Owerri, the capital of Imo State and all parts of the state witnessed partial compliance from residents of the state.
The resurgence of the high and bloody operation of the gunmen in Imo State which manifested in the burning of a divisional police station at Umuguma and the private residence of the President-General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor has precipitated fresh fear and anxiety among residents of the state.
Consequently, commercial activities, vehicular movements, public schools, and individual movements were partially restrained.
For fear of the unknown, a number of commercial vehicles, okada and motorcycle riders, tricycle operators, wheelbarrow pushers, roadside artisans abandoned their business just as sellers and buyers were scanty in most of the markets visited.
Major roads and streets in the state such as Onitsha road, Okigwe road, Aba road, Mbaise road, Port Harcourt road among others were busy with business going on.
Though while some schools were shut down as students were asked to stay at home, few schools were open for teaching and learning activities in the state.
Our correspondent who monitored the situation reports that the few available commercial vehicles on the road hiked their fares from N100 to N200 and from N200 to N300 etc depending on the distance, a situation which constrained commuters to trek long distances before getting to their destinations.
Most of the fast-food centres visited were bereft of the usual boisterous noisy activities as a result of low patronage.
The hospitality industry was not spared from the lull in business as the number of guests drastically plummeted while security was beefed up around them.
However, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has since condemned the burning of the Divisional Police station and that of the residence of the Ohaneze Ndigbo President General World Wide, Prof. George Obiozor, describing it as political banditry perpetrated by enemies of the state.
In a statement in Owerri, the Governor accused some desperate politicians in the state of aggressive refusal to sheat their swordes despite the olive branch being extended to them by his administration.
He however promised to ensure adequate protection of the people of the state.
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