Security agencies in Abia and Enugu States have increased their presence across major city centers and suburban areas ahead of the two-day sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast.
The measure comes as Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has urged residents to ignore a viral video from an unidentified individual advising them to sit at home on Monday, 21, and Tuesday, 22, October 2024.
The man declared Monday and Tuesday sit-at-home for the launch, which they claimed will take place in all southeast states.
In a precautionary measure, the Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is said to have conducted a confidence patrol exercise, involving various units of the NPF within the commercial city of Aba.
Sources within the Aba Area Command of the Nigerian Police Force disclosed that an exercise was conducted along major roads and identified trouble spots.
This exercise aimed to boost residents’ confidence in their safety while also sending a warning to any individuals or groups intending to cause trouble in Aba and its surrounding areas.
The police made it clear that they would respond to such threats with firmness. It was gathered that security agencies in Aba repelled members of the IPOB who had attempted to come into the city center on Friday to cause fear among visitors and residents as they tried to create awareness of their planned two days sit-at-home as they used to do, but met the resistance of the security agencies who had manned various flash spots.
Banks in Aba, in particular, are said to have been instructed by their headquarters to monitor developments around them on Monday to know if they would open for business on Tuesday.
From Enugu, the Police Commissioner described the sit-at-home order and the reason adduced for the action as baseless, unwarranted, and a deliberate attempt to incite fear and unrest in the state.
The Commissioner’s remark was contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe on Sunday.
He emphasised that Enugu State has long moved past such criminally motivated illegal sit-at-home orders or advice, which are often designed to destabilise the social, economic, and psychological well-being of the people under the guise of secessionist agitations.
The Commissioner encouraged citizens to carry on with their lawful activities without fear or intimidation, assuring them that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, were fully prepared to maintain peace and security across the State.
He warned that any individuals or groups attempting to disrupt public order will be ruthlessly dealt with.
Kanayo also urged parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against being used for any act inimical to the peace and security of the State, warning that the legal consequences of such involvements will be dire.
Furthermore, the Commissioner enjoined residents of the State to stay vigilant, and law-abiding, and report suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest police station.
IPOB is yet to confirm nor deny the purported Monday and Tuesday sit-at-home-order.
