Anambra State witnessed widespread compliance with a sit-at-home order declared by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), despite the appeal by the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu-led faction urging residents to ignore the directive.
The order, which spanned Monday and Tuesday, resulted in the near-total paralysis of commercial activities across major cities such as Onitsha, Nnewi and parts of Awka.
A Punch correspondent reported that Markets, schools, banks, courts, and petrol stations remained closed, contributing to an eerie quiet in many urban centers. While a few roadside traders braved the situation, setting up stalls in areas like Nkpor and Ochanja markets in Onitsha, most main market shops remained locked.
Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on a routine market visit in Nkpor, expressed satisfaction with the presence of street traders. He encouraged residents to continue with their lawful activities, assuring them of their safety.
“Go about your normal activities without fear; your safety is our top priority,” Soludo stated.
The sit-at-home order, which had been circulating through voice notes and social media last week, originated from a faction of IPOB.
The message warned residents to stay indoors on October 21 and 22, threatening consequences for anyone defying the order.
Despite appeals from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB faction to disregard the directive, many chose to remain indoors, driven by fear of possible violence.
According to the newspaper, a market leader in Onitsha, speaking anonymously, acknowledged the governor’s directive to open the gates for traders but said that fear of attacks had left the markets largely deserted.
“For fear of being attacked by hoodlums, everyone has decided to stay indoors and wait for events to unfold,” the leader said.
This incident underscores the growing tension and complexity of governance in the South-East, as the region grapples with the ongoing sit-at-home crises and the broader call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
The situation continues to highlight the challenges authorities face in ensuring security and normalcy in the area.