IPOB Sit-At-Home Order Paralyse Activities In Abia, Imo, Anambra, Other States

Following Sit-At-Home order by Indigenous People of Biafra over their agitation for an independent State of Biafra and for immediate release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the people of South East complied intoto.

This was even as the Governors of the South East State had issued a counter directive, urging workers and private enterprises not to comply.

However, Governors of the South East seem to be losing it as the people totally ignored their counter directive, except those who embarked on skeletal services with their immediate, especially Commuter buses.

IMO STATE:

In Owerri, the Capital city of Imo State, Markets were totally shut while business facilities did not open to the public. Along Weatheral Road, most Communication outfits and phone shops were shut down.

The compliance was even more enforced by the elements as morning witnessed a heavy downpour, which naturally enforced the Sit-At-Home Order as people remained within the confines of their homes.

As NewsTrack Nigeria visited Dan Anyiam Stadium, workers of Imo State Sports Commission were gathered for their usual morning prayers where they were admonished to believe in the efficacy of prayers and God’s promises.

Immediately after the prayers, the workers dispersed but were tacitly forced to reconvene when the Commissioner of Sports at the instance of Governor Hope Uzodimma personally came to the Stadium to take attendance.

NewsTrack checks revealed that most workers were pained because of the large sum of money they had to spend to get to their working places. For instance, one of the Coaches who lives in Avu Community said he spend over N2000 to get to Dan Anyiam Stadium while those living around Irete and Orogwe spend between N500 and N1000 to keep to Governor’s directive with punitive threats.

Meanwhile Okigwe Road, another major High Way was ghostly with only scanty vehicles were seen on the road.

VIOLENCE:

Two Inter-State Commuter buses were reportedly set ablaze in Mbaise with no casualty since the occupants of the vehicles were asked to disembark by the assailants.

Again, there heavy gun shits around MCC Road roundabout off Wetheral Road, Owerri, Imo State.

ANAMBRA State:

There reported cases of gun duel in the State with unconfirmed casualties.

There are reports of gunmen engaging Naval Officers and àlso engaged Police State, were two were reportedly killed.

A police station in Nnewi was reportedly attacked by gunmen – Nation. Meanwhile, no casualty was reported.

The compliance was total as major roads and business districts were total deserted despite threats from the government circle.

Report By Emma Elekwa Of The Nation, Onitsha

Business and commercial activities were completely grounded in Onitsha, Anambra state while schools, public institutions, markets and street shops were under lock and key.

Markets, including popular Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Central Market, Bridge Head Medicine market, food markets Ose Okwodu, Coca Cola market, Relief Market Okpoko and spare part markets, among others were all shut from business activities.

Banks located within the commercial city and its environs and suburbs were all shut contrary to plans to open for business following government’s directive to workers in the State to report to work or lose their salaries.

Major roads and streets were deserted, including the ever busy Niger Bridge, Onitsha/Enugu expressway to Upper Iweke through Army barracks, Ziks roundabout to Nkpor and old Ogbunike toll gate were turned ghosts areas.

No human and vehicular movements were sighted at both ends of Onitsha and Asaba, the Delta State capital as the two pedestrian cross of the bridge were completely deserted.

Some persons on masks with assorted weapons were sighted beating, maiming and destroying valuables of those who defied the order.

Even Sunday’s statement by Kanu’s younger brother, claiming suspension of the order, as well as government directive threatening to withhold salaries of workers who did not report to work could not encourage residents to go out to their respective businesses.

Some residents, who spoke to the Nation, said their safety was paramount to them.

The civil servants among them admitted hearing about the government directives but said they did not want to take any chances.

One of them said said: “I had planned going to work today, but when I came out, I couldn’t even find a keke to take me to park, not to talk of the bus that will take me to Awka.”

Another said: “We are ready to forfeit our salaries as long as our lives are intact. Is not when you’re alive that you can work and be paid?”

EBONYI STATE:

ENUGU STATE:

In Enugu, according to reports, it was total compliance as the city was totally deserted with markets, banks and other businesses completely shut.

ABIA State:

In Abia State, even though the Governor appealed for understanding but he observe there is nothing anybody can do if the people choose to stay at home over an issue they believe in. Despite alleged carrot dangling, Abia was completely deserted. It was 100% compliance.