IPOB sit-at-home order shuts down socio-economic activities in South-East
By Ayo Fadimu
The sit-at-home order issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB); Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB); Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM) and other pro-Biafra groups recorded full compliance in the entire South East geopolitical zone of the country as the streets and markets were totally deserted.
Our Correspondent reports that all socio-economic activities were shut down across the cities and towns out of fear of attacks and also in support of the activities of the Pro-Biafra agitators.
The groups said that the sit-at-home was to commemorate and honour those that died during the 30-month Nigerian civil war.
Our correspondent, who monitored the metropolis, observed that all the streets, markets, banks, schools and government offices were closed.
Also closed for businesses were filling stations, malls and even hospitals. Major markets in Enugu town like– Mayor, Garki, Ogbete, New Market – were all shut down; while banks, other financial institutions, shops, malls and newspaper distribution axis did not open for business.
However, Enugu state government had rescheduled the resumption of schools from May 31 to June 7 probably due to safety of children.
Reacting, an elderly man, Pa Johnson Nnam, told our Correspondent that there was nothing wrong in putting aside a day to remember their departed brothers and sisters during the war.
Nnam, who is a trader in Ogbete Market, noted that the South-East governors should buy into and even set-up a memorial statute in each of the states for our “fallen heroes.”
“We lost millions of people during the war, there is no family then in the East, that did not lose one, two or more persons.
“As humans, we owe it a duty to always remember part of us that have transited in glory,’’ he said.
A transporter, Mr Nnamdi Offor, said that the sit-at-home had afforded him the opportunity to know and interact with his neighbours the more and discuss national issues of mutual interest.
It is a similar situation in the local Government areas as people remained indoors and businesses closed.
In Abakpa Nike in Enugu East, there were no activities in the area except children who were seen playing football on the deserted streets.
Some people who spoke to our Correspondent expressed satisfaction with the development adding that it reduced the incessant crime and criminality in the zone.
In Nsukka, many residents were seen sitting in front of their houses and observing the situation.
A businessman, Mr Romanus Nnadi said he closed his shop in memory of departed heroes who sacrificed their lives during the war. Similarly, Mr Ken Ezema said the sit-at-home was the only way he could honour the war heroes.
A student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Frederick Nnanna said the exercise afforded him the opportunity to appreciate what happened during the civil war.
“I am 21 years old and I don’t know much about the Nigeria civil war because we did not do history in secondary school.
“I thank those who initiated the event and I hope it would be done subsequently,” he said.
It was the same scenario in Awka as the streets were totally deserted. Most of the shops at the popular Aroma junction, Awka, Zik’s Avenue, Unizik junction and other popular places were not open for business.
A resident of Awka, Mrs Ngozi Nwosu, told our Correspondent on Monday that she decided to stay at home in order to play safe.
“I do not want to go anywhere and thank God that my children’s schools are on break so all of us are indoors to avoid problem,” she said.
Another resident, Mr Ogochi Ezeike, said that the leadership of Eke Awka Market, the major market in the state capital, told our Correspondent that the market will not open for business due to the IPOB order.
“As you can see, everywhere is totally shutdown, even if one is in the market who will buy from the person?” he queried.
In Aba, only few persons who appear to have come out to check happenings in their environments were seen on the roads which had been taken over by youths playing football.
The central town district of Main Park, Industry Road, St Michael’s Road, and others were deserted on Monday. The ever busy Osisioma junction which leads into the city of Aba was deserted.
The main markets in Aba which includes Cemetery Road, Ahia Ohuru, Ekeoha also known as Shopping Centre, Ariaria International and Asa Nnentu spare parts markets were all under lock and key.
Apostle Chidiebere, a Transpoter, told our Correspondent that he was staying away from work to heed the warning.
“It is also very important that we respect our fallen heroes by remembering their sacrifice during the war.
“We should also use this opportunity to let the world know through our disposition what befell our people during the Biafra-Nigeria war, and to discourage our governments from taking decisions and moves that could result to another war,” he said.
A community leader in Aba South LGA, Chief Ibewuchi Ndimele, said there was no going back on the peoples resolve to observe the order.
He said the order was a welcome development because it was made to honour people of Biafra that were brutally murdered for asking for their rights.
Ndimele urged the government to stop Igbo marginalization and give them a sense of belonging.
However in Ebonyi, Black marketers on major streets of Abakaliki cashed in on the sit-at-home order IPOB to make brisk business.
They sold the premium motor spirit, otherwise called petrol, for between N200 and N350 per litre, following the closure of fuel outlets in the city due to the IPOB order.
In separate interviews with our Correspondent, a cross-section of the hawkers expressed happiness over the development.
Mr Chidi Onu, who said he “made good business,” frowned at the restriction on business activities by IPOB.
“Well, it is not my fault that these things are happening. It is high time we sit on a roundtable as citizens to discuss many issues affecting us as a nation.
“Yes, the IPOB order has favoured me. I only came out to sell and have something for my family,” Onu, who said he sold a litre for between N250 and N300, said.
Another hawker at Mile 50 Layout, Abakiliki, Mr Sunday Enyinna, said he sold a litre for between N200 a d N350, depending on the bargaining power of the buyer.
However, a tricycle operator, Mr Clement Chikaodiri, decried the development, describing it as wicked and sheer exploitation of the masses.
“It is worrisome. Look at me buying a litre of fuel for N300. That is too much. I have driven round the town and no filling station is open,” Chikaodiri said.
Meanwhile, Police in Ebonyi on Monday confirmed the death of a suspected hoodlum in Abakaliki.
Police spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, told our Correspondent that the hoodlum was killed in gun battle with the police.
She explained that hoodlums were intimidating and forcing people to comply with the “sit-at-home’’ directive of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) 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.
DSP Odah added that the police had secured the area and embarked on a “show of force” to maintain law and order in the state.
“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 had declared May 31 as Remembrance Day to honour those who died in the 30-month Nigerian civil war, which ended on Jan. 15, 1970.
Markets, banks and fuel stations in the state did not open for business, while the roads were devoid of vehicular movement.
