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Streets were deserted and commercial activities crippled as residents in the southeast complied with the two-day sit-at-home allegedly declared by a factional group.
This is despite the call by the Indigenous People of Biafra for residents in the South-East to ignore such order, saying it might not be unconnected with the continued detention of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
According to a source, the two-day sit-at-home was a spontaneous mass action over the refusal of access to Kanu.
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The source said that since September 24 after his last court appearance, his lawyers and family members had not been allowed access to him.
“Since nobody knows the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu, the people are worried and unhappy. They are willing to do anything said by anybody to see he is released.
“So, we don’t know those who called for the sit-at-home. But the masses are not happy and can obey any order by anybody provided it has to do with what can be done to enable Nnamdi to regain his freedom,” the source said.
Total lockdown in Abia
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Umuahia, Abia State capital, Monday, witnessed a complete shutdown following a sit-at-home that nobody publicly claimed to have declared.
Unlike previous sit-at-home protests, Monday’s sit-at-home recorded total compliance as the streets were stone-dead and the roads completely deserted.
Human and vehicular traffic was very limited although there were occasional movements of tricycles and vehicles. Students and pupils stayed at home as schools did not open for studies.
Most private schools had before the weekend, reportedly communicated to their students and pupils that they would not open for Monday and Tuesday.
Banks also did not open to customers while only a few street shops opened for business. Residents stayed back in their houses for fear of the unknown.
Streets deserted in Anambra
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It was also gathered that economic and commercial activities were paralysed as major markets, roads, law courts, schools, banks, petrol filling stations, and other public places across major cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, and some parts of Awka remained deserted on Monday.
Only a few roadside traders were seen displaying their wares at places like Nkpor and Ochanja markets in Onitsha as well as Eke-Awka market in Awka, while the shops in the main markets remained under lock and key.
The state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who visited the market in Nkpor on Monday as part of his routine monitoring of activities in the markets, expressed satisfaction that the street traders came out for activities.
While briefly interacting with the traders, Soludo told the people to go about their lawful activities, assuring them of their safety and well-being.
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Imo observed sit-at-home
Residents of Imo State also observed the sit-at-home order, with streets remaining deserted.
gathered that there was no movement across the state, with shops closed and no workers seen in transit.
One pedestrian, who was spotted near the IMSU junction and requested anonymity, said, “As you can see, everywhere is deserted due to the sit-at-home that began today.
“For fear of being attacked by gunmen, everyone has decided to stay indoors and wait for events to unfold.”
Ebonyi shutdown
There was total compliance by residents in Ebonyi State as business activities were grounded as banks, schools, offices, and businesses, including eateries, shopping malls, and markets, were all locked.
It was gathered that the usually busy Water Works Road, Ogoja Road, Afikpo Road, Gunning Street, Afikpo Street, and the Abakaliki/Enugu expressway were empty and desolate.
Only a few private cars and essential workers, such as doctors, were on the road, while parks remained shut.
However, some commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists were seen operating around the city centre, likely emboldened by the heavy presence of machine gun- wielding security personnel patrolling in convoys to maintain security.
No sit-at-home on Tuesday – Ekpa
The Simon Ekpa-led Biafra Republic Government In-Exile has clarified that there is no sit-at-home on Tuesday, 22nd October 2024 in the South East.
In a statement on Monday also, through his official Twitter handle, Ekpa stressed that there would be no sit-at-home on Tuesday apart from the one observed on Monday to press home the demand for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
He countered claims making the rounds that there will be a sit-at-home on Tuesday.
According to him, he will be live on his account to tell Biafrans why there is no sit-at-home on Tuesday.
“Ekpa has cleared the air on the rumoured sit at home and he promised to be live on X space and to announce to the Biafrans that there is no sit at home tomorrow”, he said.
Recall that since the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian Government in 2021, Mondays have remained grounded in the region.
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