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General News of Monday, 31 May 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Rivers residents snub IPOB's sit-at-home order

Rivers State map Rivers State map

• Some of the Igbo people did not comply with the orders because they claimed it will not feed their families

• There was partial compliance in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state

• Owners of shops on major streets stayed away to avoid possible attacks from IPOB members

The Igbo residents and traders in Rivers State has completely shunned the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The commercial centres were busy, schools were opened, banks and offices were operating, and people were going about their normal activities.

Some of the traders stated they didn’t comply because undertaking such action would not feed their families.

“The economy I tough. My family needs to eat and you say I should stay at home. Will staying at home feed me and pay all my bills,” a trader queried.

But there was partial compliance in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state where most residents stayed away from the streets out of fear of possible violence.

All the popular markets in the area including Eke Oyigbo ultra-modern market witnessed skeletal activities.

Owners of shops on major streets stayed away to avoid possible attacks from IPOB members.

A lady, who spoke in confidence, said fear of the ugly incident that occurred last year compelled people to stay at home out of fear.

“It is out of fear that made most people stay in their homes, nothing else. You can see that those who are not afraid are out and they are doing their normal business,” she said.

A sachet water seller said: “Those that locked up their shops did so because they don’t want to witness what happened last year again. Nobody is entering inside the market to buy or sell because everybody is afraid.

“But those of us that came out did so because there is no food in the house. As you can see I am carrying sachet water and if I don’t come out to sell my children will not eat. Anybody, who says we should stay at home, should provide food for us to eat.”