BREAKING: Streets, shops empty as South-East observes IPOB’s sit-at-home order on ‘Biafra Day’

In compliance with the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, Umuahia, capital of Abia State and other three South-East states remained indoors today.

•An empty street in Owerri

Despite assurances from the police of their safety, shops, markets, and public and private offices were closed, bringing economic activities to a halt, reports The Nation.

The usually bustling streets and major roads were empty with few people seen at bus stops.

Our correspondents, who moved around the metropolis, observed that the city was deserted, with many residents opting to stay at home rather than risk venturing out.

However, a notable exception was seen as few students taking the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) exam were spotted as early as 7:30 a.m. heading to schools with caution.

Security operatives kill one, injure suspected IPOB members in Anambra

•POLICE SECURITY
Security operatives in Anambra have killed an alleged member of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) and injured three others trying to enforce sit-at-home in the State.

The incident happened at Oba flyover, in Idemili South local government area.

However, despite assurances of police and security forces to residents, residents of Anambra stayed indoors today.

It was observed that every road in the state is empty from Awka to Onitsha and Nnewi.

Even construction workers at Ekwulobia, engaged by Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the flyover that links Oko, Igboukwu and Amawbia abandoned the sites.

No market in Anambra has opened for business, including shops and garages.

Anambra Police Command, in a statement by the spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, said the IPOB members were intercepted while operating on motorbike before they opened fire

During the encounter, one miscreant was apprehended while the other three managed to evade capture, sustaining bullet injuries in the process

Umuahia records total compliance

Meanwhile, many streets in Umuahia, Abia State capital were deserted, today in compliance with the sit-at-home order by Biafra agitators to commemorate those who lost their lives during the Biafra war, reports Vanguard.

Although the capital city was not entirely locked down, there was skeleton movements as some residents stayed indoors.

As at 10:00am when our Correspondent moved round to monitor the situation, Abia Tower Round About opposite Post Office right at the City centre which on a normal day, used to be a busy area, was partially a ghost of its old self.

Most of the shops around the vicinity were not open while some business owners were observed hanging around.

Youths mostly apprentices were also seen playing football around the open space opposite former NUJ secretariat in the vicinity.

A shop owner at the vicinity who did not want her name on print said even though she came out, she believed strongly in Biafra.

She said she saw nothing wrong with observing a peaceful sit-at-home in honour of those killed during the civil war.

Motor parks in the capital city were totally on lock as drivers and commuters stayed away.

Although some schools opened, many others did not.

Banks in the state capital were also under lock and key except transactions at their Automated Teller Machines, ATM.

There, was however, no incidence of violence in any part of the state as at the time of filing this report.

Inquiries also revealed that Aba the commercial capital of the state was on a total lockdown.

Commercial and economic activities were said to have been paralysed as residents decided to comply with the sit-at-home order.