The sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday registered total compliance in Onitsha, Awka, Enugu, Umuahia, Aba and other South-East and South-South states.
Markets, banks, motor parks and other commercial places, including schools and government offices, were totally under lock and key.
In Onitsha, the popular Onitsha Main Market is under lock. All other markets in the city and its suburbs of Obosi, Nkpor, Ogidi, Woliwo are closed. The head bridge is open for vehicles that are scantily available.
Some of the streets in Onitsha were converted to football playing ground by boys
Also schools and local Government Areas headquarters’ gates were under lock and key as civil servants feared to report to their duty posts.
No vehicular movement and the tricycle (keke) operators also deserted the roads in compliance.
Reacting, the state chairman of National Conscience Party, (NCP), Chief Peter Okala, said that sit-at-home order was an opportunity for IPOB to expressed its grievances on the alleged marginalization of the Igbo nation.
“it is not a violent means of protest,” he said.
Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation, Vincent Ezekwueme said “everybody is indoors. You can’t beat a child and ask him/her not to cry. The govenment should look into the agitation with a view to considering some of the good reasons for the agitation.
“People obeyed the sit-at-home to show solidarity to those who lost their lives during the war and others who died in course for freedom”.
In Nnewi, Ojukwu’s hometown, there is total compliance with the sit-at-home order. Nkwo Nnewi, Spare Parts Market, banks, schools, factories, parks, shops, all, are shut and deserted. There are random vehicular movements in the town.
As you know, Nnewi is the city of motorcycles and most of the movements were by bike. There are unknown bikemen dressed in black who are out seizing the bikes of everyone they catch outdoor.
Awka, Anambra state capital city is without human and vehicular activities. Popular places such as Unizik and Aroma Junctions, Eke Awka, Zik Avenue, the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway were in total quietness and solitary.
Streets around Awka, the capital city were totally deserted between 7:30 am and 11am when our reporter moved around the city to monitor the compliance level.
Contrary to the information by the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, that men of the security arm of the group, ESN, would be unleashed on the streets to enforce compliance to the order, some motorists attending to emergencies were seen driving along the road without molestation.
It was gathered that there was heavy deployment of a combined team of security personnel who moved round the town to ensure that no one was molested.
The Anambra State Police Command had on Sunday assured anyone wishing to carry out their businesses of their safety, adding that no one would be molested by any person or group of persons.
The sit-at-home order also met with near-complete compliance in major cities across the Southeast and Southsouth.
In Aba, Abia State, the famed Ariaria International Market is locked with not a single person around. Other popular markets in the state, including Ogbosisi (Timber Shed), the Market by Ohanku, in Ngwa Road, others remained shut.
The Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway which passes through the city is completely deserted except for heavy-duty vehicles parked by the road.
In the popular Ngwa Road, not a single vehicle at sight. We, however, have unconfirmed reports that a civilian was shot dead in Urata Junction. There are reports of spasmodic gunshots in the city.
In Umuahia, Abia State, which is home to IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, there is total compliance with the lockdown. No marketplaces are open, banks, and other private organizations, schools, parks, all desert. The ever-busy Aba Road which is symbolic of the human activities in the capital city has no vehicle on sight.
In Enugu where unknown gunmen killed a man in broad daylight yesterday, the sit-at-home order is with strong compliance.
The popular Polo Park Mall is under locks and keys. New Haven Road, Abakiliki Road, Airport Road, Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressways, Holy Ghost Junction, all, are deserted.
Now and then a keke or a car would speed past. Ogbete Market, New Market, the market at Mayor, the Garriki Market, Abakpa Market, Emene Market, New Haven Market, Artisan Market, all were closed.
In Owerri, where ex-President Jonathan aide and APC chieftain, Ahmed Gulak, was killed, reports emerged late last night when soldiers attacked boys lodges at Imo State University, IMSU, Owerri and took away at least ten students, the compliance of the sit-at-home was never in doubt.
There are reports that the governor Uzodinma’s convoy was attacked while plying a road in Owerri. We are still investigating this incidence. This is the link to the post we story.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, there is quietness and desertion on most of the roads. Earlier in the day, at around 6.30am, it’s reported that an explosion rocked a marketplace at Mile 3. No one was killed but it is said that dozens of people where wounded.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that there was an explosion this morning at the Mile 3 Market in the Port Harcourt Local Government Area of the State
The state police command Public Relations Officer, SP Nnamdi Omoni
Police Public Relations Officer said a locally fabricated Dynamite, exploded when one Mrs Ifemia Aloke, popularly known as ‘ mama Joy’ opened her fish shop, inflicting injuries on her son and one other young lady who are currently receiving medical attention. No life was lost in the incident.
The Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) was immediately despatched to the scene to sweep and render the entire Market safe. Normal trading activities resumed immediately.
He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Eboka Friday has ordered a full scale Investigation into the incident with a view to ascertaining the cause of the explosion and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
