*Empty Streets As Some Residents Observe Sit-at-home
*IPOB Commends Residents For Voluntary Compliance
ANAMBRA State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has commended traders across the state, especially those at the Onitsha Main Market, for heeding his directive to open on Mondays and discontinue the sit-at-home order.
The order, imposed by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in solidarity with its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has adversely affected the Southeast economy since 2021.
Speaking on Monday, February 2, when he visited various trading zones, including Ose Market, Bright Street, Lagos Line, and Emeka Offor Plaza, among others, Soludo said their reopening indicated that the state was open for business at the start of the week.
Accompanied by top government officials, the governor, during interactions with traders, reassured that the fear of the unknown applied to enforce the shutdown was gone, adding: “Ndi Anambra are taking back their day, their economy and their future.”
Recall that Soludo had last Monday ordered the market shut for one week, warning that if traders failed to open at the end of the closure, it would be closed for another week and subsequently for longer periods.
At the end of the one-week closure, on Monday, traders were seen in the market, as many of them resumed business as early as 8:45am.
Residents, however, differed over the directive to reopen. While some residents welcome the government’s action, others who are in support of Kanu urged Soludo to rather channel his energy to facilitate his release from prison.
Some traders said they had complied with the sit-at-home order for fear of being attacked, expressing willing to open on Mondays if government guarantees them of adequate security.
Although normal commercial activities resumed at the Onitsha Main Market and a few others, most of the streets remained empty in parts of the state, with banks, schools, motor parks and filling stations closed and roads deserted.
Major roads in Onitsha, such as Onitsha-Owerri, Upper-Iweka, Onitsha-Awka-Enugu and Onitsha-Oba-Nnewi, as well as roads leading to Ochanja Market were deserted, as residents stayed off mainly out of fear, while some gathered at various locations discussing.
The separatist group, in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, commended the residents, saying: “IPOB confirms total and overwhelming compliance with the sit-at-home directive issued across Biafraland.
“This historic show of unity has once again demonstrated that the deep love, loyalty and resolve of the Biafran people toward Kanu cannot be broken by threats, intimidation or state-sponsored coercion.
“From Omambala to Onitsha and across the Southeast, the people have spoken with one voice. The land of Eri, Nri, Igbo-Ukwu and Uzo-Igbo has reaffirmed its historic role as the conscience and backbone of the Igbo nation. Our people are born free- and will not submit to fear.
“This peaceful, but firm compliance is a clear message: The Biafran people will not be forced to abandon their leader or betray their collective will. The love for Kanu is not a weakness to be envied or attacked; it is a strength that binds our people and fuels our lawful demand for justice and freedom.
“IPOB remains committed to order, discipline and respect for institutions, but we will resist every attempt to intimidate, humiliate or enslave our people.
“The continued illegal detention of Kanu only reinforces the legitimacy of this resistance.”
