IPOB threatens fresh sit-at-home, banks, others shut despite suspension

Despite the suspension of the sit-at-home order in the South-East by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, activities were grounded in some parts of the region.

This was as the IPOB made a U-turn and threatened to recommence the ‘every Monday’ sit-at-home protest starting from August 23.

Banks, schools, shops and other businesses did not open for work in many parts of Abia, Ebonyi, Imo and Anambra states, while traders and other business concerns opened in Enugu State.

Though one of the reasons for the absence of normal activities in four out of the five southeastern states was that many were not aware of the suspension of the sit-at-home order, others genuinely closed shops in solidarity with the IPOB leader.

In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, commercial banks and other businesses remained shut as the sit-at-home order was observed irrespective of the suspension of the directive.

One of our correspondents, who monitored the situation, gathered that banks, motor parks, filling stations, eateries, major shops and supermarkets remained closed in the state capital.

Also affected were shops at the Abakaliki International market and Ophoke-Abba market in Kpiri-Kpiri, where shop owners shut down businesses.

The PUNCH further reports that major roads, including the Abakaliki/Enugu; Abakaliki/Afikpo highways and other major busy internal roads like Afikpo and Ogoja roads, were scanty with human and vehicular movements.

A trader, Mr Simon Ngaji at Ophoke-Abba Market, Kpiri-Kpiri explained that people, especially shop owners in the market did not receive the news of the suspension, while some doubted its authenticity.

In Umuahia, the Abia State capital, there was no visible movement of security operatives, as schools were closed, except for those conducting NECO and WASC examinations.

In Aba, a middle-aged man was shot dead at Gas Line by Express. This was confirmed in a statement by the Coalition of South-East Youth Leader. The coalition condemned “the gruesome killing of an unarmed innocent youth at Gas Line by Nigerian soldiers”.

In the statement by Goodluck Ibem, the President General and Kanice Igwe, the Secretary-General, the body further stated, “We call on Nigeria authorities to order a prompt, independent and impartial inquiry into the killing by the army, identify suspected perpetrators and ensure that they are brought to justice without delay.”

Similarly, banks, business centres, eateries failed to open on Monday in Owerri, the Imo state capital, despite the cancellation of the weekly sit-at-home order by IPOB.

The PUNCH monitored activities on Monday morning in the state capital and observed that streets and roads were deserted. Few persons, who came out, found it difficult to get vehicles that could convey them to their destinations.

Major markets like Nkwo-Orji, Alana international market, Ekeukwu Owerri, Amakaohia and Akwakuma markets were almost empty.

The ever-busy Imo State University Roundabout, Government House Roundabout, Cherubim junction, Control Post Roundabout, Warehouse Roundabout, Emmanuel College Roundabout and Fire service Roundabout all in Owerri were also deserted. Also, Owerri to Orlu, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Okigwe, Mbaise and Aba roads were all deserted by motorists and passersby, while with shops and motor parks were closed.

An artisan, who spoke with The PUNCH, said, “I am not going anywhere; I will stay at home today because my life is more important to me. They may be telling us that the sit-at-home order has been cancelled so that we will come out and be harmed. One day with my family will not kill me.”Nothing changed in Anambra despite the suspension of the exercise, as socio-economic activities were grounded in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and other major towns in the state. One of our correspondents, who monitored the situation in the state, observed that banks, markets, shops, government establishments and other businesses were shut down.

A resident, who gave his name as Okechukwu Madu, said, “I heard on the Radio Biafra that there was nothing like suspension of the sit-at-home. We want the exercise to continue till Kanu is released.”

Normal activities in Enugu after suspension, however, economic and social activities went on in all parts of the Enugu State following the cancellation of the sit-at-home order.

It was observed that streets and roads returned back to life after the sit-at-home order were obeyed last Monday, August 9, as roads and streets witnessed gradual human and vehicular movement.

Although the movement was scanty, workers went to work, even as banks, malls, shops, markets, filling stations, motor parks, schools, business centres, offices that shut down last Monday, were all opened for business.IPOB makes a U-turn, threatens fresh protest.