The sit – at – home order issued by the Indigenous peoples of Biafra (IPOB) for the commemoration of the fallen Heroes of Biafra in the South Eastern states of Nigeria this Thursday (30/05/24) seriously affected commercial and social activities in almost all the states in the South East zone.
Reports indicate that economic, social and even political activities were extremely limited in most Capital Cities, major towns cum commercial Cities and even in rural areas within the zone.
In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state Capital, business centres, low vehicular movement and shut down of most financial institutions were witnessed in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Capital.
At the Popular ever busy Udensi round about, there was no vehicular movement as residents locked up shops, a situation that also extended to the Pa Ngele Orunta Township Stadium Abakaliki areas.
However, police operatives were on patrol as at 9 o’clock in the morning in all parts of the city to maintain law and order.
In Abia state Capital, Umuahia where sit – at – rarely works, residents decided to remain indoors for fear of any form of harm following warnings received from the agitating group.
The ever busy City centre known as Isi Gate, was deserted as hawkers of various forms of goods were nowhere in sight, while Ikot Ekpene, Uzuakoli, Bende and Aba roads as well as major Housing Estates, witnessed no commercial activities.
However, in the commercial city of Aba where there has always been total compliance to the order, there were reports of attacks of soldiers by unknown Gunmen in the Ogbor hill area with no clear information as to the cause.
This further heightened the tension in the commercial city with residents staying indoors to avoid being caught in the situation which resulted to military helicopter hovering round the area.
In Anambra state it was also total lockdown in the major cities and the capital as most residents on their own decided to remain within the confines of their houses and streets.
Enugu witnessed total compliance as all major motor parks and Terminals were without activities resulting to very low vehicular movement, mostly from those on essential duties.
Many Traders decided to stay away from their markets and business centres, with some public institutions joining the fray.
Our correspondent in Enugu reports that fear prevented most people from stepping out of their residences though there were heavy security presence in all strategic corners of coal city.
However, Owerri, the Imo state Capital saw many Civil Servants arriving their offices as usual while only very few absented as a result of fear of the unknown and the heavy presence of security witnessed in the city.
Our Correspondent gathered reports of over 40 patrol vehicles comprising the military, the police and Civil Defence patrolling different parts of the city with Amoured personnel carriers.
Though this joint patrol teams were later stationed at Ndubuisi Kanu square, some traders refused to open for business while others braved it to make brisk business.
