For the first time since the Indigenous People of Biafra issued a weekly sit-at-home order to residents of the South-East in solidarity with the organisation’s detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, commercial activities and vehicle movement continued unabated on Monday as residents of the Imo State ignored the order and went about their daily business.
In Owerri, the state capital, and its environs, markets, filling stations, shops, fast-food centres and relaxation centres opened for business while mobile food vendors and hawkers of consumable items moved about without fear of molestation.
One of our correspondents, who monitored the situation, reported that similar scenario played out in Orlu, Okigwe, Oguta, Mbano and Mbaise axis.
At the popular Afor Ogbe Abattoir, a butcher who simply gave his name as Nnadi expressed delight at the non-interruption of activities in the market by the IPOB members and their sponsors and advised the people to always restrain from acts capable of provoking crises in the state.
The situation was however different in Anambra and Enugu State where activities were again grounded in major cities on Monday.
As usual, banks, schools, offices, courts, supermarkets, petrol stations, markets and eateries were shut.
The Onitsha/Enugu expressway, Onitsha/Asaba/Benin/Lagos expressway, Onitsha/Owerri road and the Onitsha/Otuocha/Nsukka road, were all deserted.
A businessman in Onitsha, who identified himself as Mr Onyema Achiha, lamented the sit-at-home in an interview with our correspondent , saying, “The negative effect of this two-day sit-at-home serves the people of the South-East right because we are the architects of our own problem.
“Our politicians who are representing us in the three tiers of government are selfish; always interested in what will benefit them so let them give that money that goes to their pocket to unknown gunmen who enforce a nonexistent sit-at-home.”
PUNCH
