Panic buying, heavy security as IPOB holds Biafra Day today

Ahead of today’s Biafra Heroes Day declared by the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra across the South-East, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnaghe Itam, yesterday deployed policemen across schools in the state.

Similarly, the Enugu State government rejected the sit-at-home order called by IPOB to mark the day, saying it had put security agencies on red alert to resist any attempt at the breaking of law and order, reports The PUNCH.

IPOB had last week, in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, advised the West African Examination Council to shift WASSCE papers slated for May 30.

It similarly advised the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Anambra State to shift its convocation slated for the same date.

The separatist group declared May 30 sit-at-home across the five South-East states, warning that there would be no business activities and no movements to honour Igbo people killed during the civil war of 1967-1970.

Our correspondent, who went around major markets and schools across Anambra State yesterday, observed heavy security presence with security vehicles as residents were also seen making last-minute purchases to avoid being stranded.

This was just as some of the students taking part in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination were seen relocating to areas near their examination centres, so as to avoid being stranded as IPOB has declared no movement across the region.

Customers also besieged banks and Automated Teller Machine points to withdraw cash in order to make purchases and get ready for the day.

A resident, who was seen making quick purchases yesterday at Eke Awka Market, in Awka, Grace Acho, who spoke to our correspondent, said, “My brother, when I heard that markets would not open tomorrow, I took permission from the office to rush here to buy some foodstuffs and get ready for today.”