Despite an order from Anambra State governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, urging businesses to remain open on Monday, many residents of Awka complied with the sit-at-home directive issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The state capital saw economic activities grind to a halt, with schools also affected as children were sent home.
Streets were largely deserted, with minimal vehicular movement, forcing many to either walk or stay indoors. Reports from other major cities like Onitsha and Nnewi mirrored the same situation.
Residents of Ebonyi and Imo states also observed IPOB’s sit-at-home order, which resulted in a shutdown of economic activities, including schools and businesses.
It was gathered in Abakaliki and Owerri that filling stations, markets-including the Abakaliki Rice Mill-and private businesses such as mechanic shops and building materials markets were all closed.
The sit-at-home order is tied to the declaration of Biafra and is set to last for two days. On the second day, Biafran flags are expected to be mounted in strategic locations across Ebonyi and other southeastern states.
This directive was circulated on social media platforms, including Facebook, by IPOB’s Finland-based leader, Mazi Simon Ekpa, last week.
However, his directive was countered by Mazi Chinasa Nworu of IPOB’s Directorate of State (DOS), a faction that has distanced itself from Ekpa’s alleged promotion of violence and killings in the Southeast following the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a show of force, a combined team of security personnel, including armoured vehicles, was deployed in Owerri and its surrounding areas on Sunday.
