Victor EzejaEconomic activities in South-east Nigeria have again been grounded as residents stayed indoors in compliance with a 2 two-day sit-at-home order issued by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Streets and major roads in different cities across the region have been deserted. Markets, schools and banks remain closed despite assurances and visible presence of security agents on major roads, especially in the state capitals.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPast experiences of residents with sit-at-home orders made them ignore every entreaty from authorities in the five states in South-east not to obey the order.
Two weeks ago, a video that went viral showed a man who asked residents of the South-east to observe sit-at-home on 21 and 22 October.
The unidentified man claimed in the video that the reason for the sit-at-home was because Biafran soldiers, within the period, would launch their armoured vehicles and foist Biafra flags in the South-east. He also warned that people should not come out to avoid casualties, especially innocent residents in case there is a shootout with security operatives.
The announcement generated reactions. Police and other security agencies urged residents to ignore the order, asking them to go about their normal businesses.
IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, said the separatist group did not declare the sit-at-home in the South-east. Mr Powerful labelled those calling for the two-day sit-at-home “criminals,” who have infiltrated the IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and are also working to tarnish the image of the group.
Also, a self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, Mr Simon Ekpa, debunked the order.
In a post on his X handle on Monday, Mr Ekpa, who has been operating from his base in Finland, urged residents to ignore the message, adding that it is only the Mondays sit-at-home that it is still in place.
“The idiot who used Biafra Government to make the video has been warned. There is no sit at home tomorrow (Tuesday), the next sit-at-home will be targeted against Nigeria institutions in Biafraland,” Mr Ekpa stated in a post on his X handle on Monday.
The pro-Biafran agitator who feature in an X Space on Monday threatened that the man who made the announcement will bear the consequences.
In Enugu, there were presence of security personnel with Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) at strategic places like Abakpa by Liberty Bus stop, Abakpa junction, Holy Ghost roundabout, and New Market among others. However, people remained at home.
Some residents, who spoke with Prime Business Africa said despite being told that the sit-at-home was not declared by the usual IPOB leaders, they didn’t go out for fear of being attacked.
They expressed doubt on the ability of state governments to provide adequate security.
“I don’t want to gamble with my life or my business by going out today,” said Martina Ekeh, a trader in Enugu.
“We are indoors today. There is no movement because of sit-at-home. Those asking us to go out have surrounded themselves with security men, but want us to sacrifice our lives by going out,” said Calister Ugbagbe, a trader based in Onitsha.
In Abia, reports indicated that despite security officers patroling major streets in Aba and Umuahia people stayed at home.
IPOB and Sit-at-home
Since August 2021 when IPOB introduced sit-at-home order every Monday in South-east, it has continued to be observed in all parts of the region with the attendant economic losses and sometimes casualties as the agitators try to enforce it.
IPOB, which has been clamouring for an independent Biafran state due to perceived marginalisation has been using periodic sit-at-home as an instrument of protest. The group has also been calling for the release of its leader, Maxi Nnamdi Kanu, who is being tried by the federal government for terrorism related offences.
READ ALSO: Biafra Struggle: Sit-at-home And The Cost Of Heightened Insecurity In Southeast
The IPOB faction of Emma Powerful had repeatedly declared the suspension of the Monday sit-at-home across the region, saying those who still enforce the order were criminals attempting to blackmail the group.
However, Ekpa has continued to declare the Mondays, sit-at-home in the region, despite being suspended by the IPOB faction led by Mr Kanu.
South-east state governors like Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra and Peter Mbah of Enugu have made unsuccessful attempts to stop the enforcement of the Mondays sit-at-home.
Observers have raised concerns about the economic, social, security, and human rights impacts of sit-at-home orders in the South-east Nigeria.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
