IPOB: Despite court ruling on Nnamdi Kanu, Anambra residents observe sit-at-home

The residents of Anambra have on Monday, October 17, 2022, strictly observed sit-at-home despite the appeal court ruling on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

According to reports, banks, offices, marketplaces, vehicle parks, stores, schools, and gas stations remained closed as usual in the major cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Obosi, Ekwulobia, and sections of Awka.

Even though IPOB had officially cancelled the exercise, the people continued to observe it for fear of attack by hoodlums enforcing it.

Recall that, on Thursday, October 14, 2022, people in the South-East region flocked to the streets to celebrate after hearing that Kanu had been freed and cleared by the Abuja Appeal Court.

They were seen shouting “no more sit-at-home” while firing fireworks during the celebration.

However, the joy did not seem to last long when information from the desk of the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, indicated that the court only “discharged but not acquitted” Kanu, meaning that the IPOB leader would still be in the Department of State Services’ custody.

The sit-at-home exercise was intensified in Anambra, as residents, especially in Onitsha and neighbouring communities, stayed indoors.

A resident of Okpoko, Onitsha, said the people intensified the sit-at-home to voice their unhappiness with the Nigerian government’s violation of court rulings.

He said, “It has become part of us to always see Monday as a resting day but if the markets, shops, schools, banks, courts, among others can reopen, then people will be forced to return to Monday as a working day.”

“We are happy with the Appeal Court judgement in favour of Nnamdi Kanu but because we are used to staying indoors on Mondays, the court judgement, even if it is in our favour, didn’t stop us because that day has been earmarked for club, town and other meetings for people,” he said further.

A shop owner at Nkwo Nnewi Triangle market, who simply identified herself as Ogochukwu, said it would be difficult to end the Monday sit-at-home exercise since many had mistaken it for a day off.

“Brother, leave the Monday sit-at-home for now because it has become part of us. Even government functionaries also observe Monday sit-at-home. If they want to stop it, they should provide adequate security, nobody wants to take unnecessary risk. Until schools, markets, courts, banks and others reopen, it will remain like this, people even now enjoy it than before,” she added.

Although the state police command, through its spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, assured the people of adequate security, while telling them to ignore the sit-at-home, the pleas have fallen on deaf ears.



FI