A section of Abakpa Market in Enugu, with just a few people
By Magnus Aluma, Abakaliki
The Southeastern states of Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi were shut down on Monday in compliance with the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, declared by the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra (IPOB).
NewsBits reports that a compulsory Sit-at-home order was imposed on Nigeria’s Southeast Zone by IPOB to protest the prolonged detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
It was gathered that in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, major markets were shut as traders were only seen in groups as their discussions centered on the economic implications of the regular sit-at-home orders, connected to the perceived social injustices meted out to the people of the area, by the powers-that-be.
Academic activities were also paralysed, as parents could not risk taking their children to their various schools, for fear of possible attack by protesters. A total restriction of vehicular movement was also experienced in major towns in Ebonyi State as the roads were deserted by commercial buses and other road users.
In Enugu State, the roads within the metropolis were virtually empty, because of Android massive desertion of the ever-busy commuter buses and other categories of road users. Activities were also grounded in schools and major markets, including: Ogbete Main Market, Kenyatta, New Market, Gariki, Coal Camp Spare Parts, Abakpa, Artisan, Eke Obinagu, and Orie Emene markets.
At midmorning, there were a visibly heavy presence of security operatives on the city roads and even in the suburbs. Our correspondent, who monitored the situation in the Abakpa axis of Enugu East, reports that at exactly 10:57 am, a long convoy of patrol vehicles loaded with armed policemen took over the area, from the Harmony Road to Ogwuagor, through Abakpa Junction, to forestall any possible breach of the peace.
A combined team of heavily armed security operatives, including the Army, the Police, and the Civil Defense, were also deployed to strategic positions within Enugu city and neighbouring towns.
A trader at Abakpa market, Mr Paul Eya, told our Reporter that some people closed their shops in solidarity to the protest. Mr Eya called on the Federal Government to respond to the demands of the protesters and release Nnamdi Kanu.
One of the deserted street roads of Igboeze Onicha in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Ebonyi State… Photo Credit: Magnus Aluma
Eya said, “I think that this protest is not out of place. The protest, as you can see, is peaceful and the demand of the people is genuine. The President should look into it and consider releasing Nnamdi Kalu from detention.”
It was a similar situation in Anambra State as residents of the area did not engage in any physical protest; rather, they stayed at their various homes. Government offices, including schools, courts, banks, and markets, were also shut down.
There were low vehicular movements along the major roads in Awka, the state capital, as only a handful of people could be seen on the popular and ever-busy Aroma Junction. A similar situation also prevailed in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State, as markets and streets were deserted.
Reports said that Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State defied the sit-at-home order to go ahead with his governorship campaign in Awka, the state capital.
