Ebonyi, Anambra Grounded Due to IPOB's Sit-At-Home Order

Posted by Thandiubani on Wed 18th May, 2022 - tori.ng

The exercise, which recorded over 75 per cent compliance rate in Ebonyi State, saw markets, banks and shops shut down.

Activities in Ebonyi, Anambra and other South eastern states have been brought to a halt due to IPOB's sit-at-home order on Tuesday.

The Indigenous People of Biafra had declared sit-at-home due to their leader, Nnamdi Kanu's appearance in court.

Punch stated that the exercise, which recorded over 75 per cent compliance rate in Ebonyi State, saw markets, banks and shops shut down.

Punch correspondent who monitored the exercise in Abakaliki in the early hours of Tuesday, observed that between 7am and 10am, there were no vehicular and human movements.

It was also noted that bank premises were locked with the national flag lowered in offices.

Parks of major transport companies such as Peace Mass, Onitsha South, GUO, Ifesinachi, Eastern Mass and ROMCHI, among others, were shut down.

The IPOB had declared May 18 and 26, 2022 as sit-at-home days for the people of the South-East as both days coincide with the court dates of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement on Saturday, the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, dissociated itself from a voice note purportedly announcing different dates, saying that any other date was not from IPOB.

Powerful noted that the group’s core mandate is the well-being of Biafrans all over the globe.

The statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to a purported voice note ordering Biafrans and residents of Biafraland to sit at home on a date other than May 18. This is the handiwork of paid agents and should be totally ignored.

“Those behind the purported voice note should inform their pay masters to stop dissipating their energy and resources in a hopeless attempt to stop the collective will and decision of Biafrans worldwide to pursue our self determination right.”

The Nigerian Army said troops of 34 Brigade Obinze killed four suspected members of IPOB during a gun duel in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Army said the suspected IPOB members opened fire on the troops who were on patrol in the area, adding that the troops overpowered them.

A statement on Monday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig General Onyema Nwachukwu, read in part, “Troops of 34 Brigade Obinze have neutralised four members of IPOB and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network, in a fierce encounter that ensued at Amaifeke and Ihioma in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

“The terrorists were taken out yesterday (Monday), May 16, 2022, while shooting sporadically, threatening lives and property of innocent citizens.

“The irate dissidents opened fire on sighting the patrol team, who were out to ensure safety and security of lives and property of citizens. The vigilant troops engaged the criminals and neutralised four of them, while others succumbed to the superior fire power of the troops and escaped from the scene.

“Items recovered from the encounter include one pump action shotgun, 10 live cartridges, one Hilux truck, mobile handsets and charms.”

Residents of Anambra State have expressed concern over the way sit-at-home order has been grounding commercial, academic and social activities in the state.

Their complaints came as the sit-at-home entered the second day on Tuesday.

One of our correspondents, who monitored situation in major cities such as Onitsha, Obosi, Oba, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Awka, observed that banks, schools, markets, motor parks, offices and filling stations were shut as people stayed indoors.

The Chairman, South-East Traders Forum, Chief Osita Udeh, said the situation is causing the region to lose billions of naira in terms of transactions.