IPOB’s sit-at-home: Situation report from Anambra State

The sit-at-home exercise ordered by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has failed to register success compared to previous exercises, DAILY POST investigation has revealed.

The group had called for a sit-at-home strike, code-named ‘general strike’, in memory of those killed by soldiers in September last year, when the home of the leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu was invaded by soldiers.

While Tuesday’s exercise registered some level of compliance in Onitsha, the call was largely jettisoned in Awka and Nnewi and other parts of the state where skeletal services were rendered in public institutions.

In Onitsha, markets, banks and schools were under lock, while traders were seen in streets playing football. Street traders were, however, seen doing their businesses.

Civil servants Awka were unable to make it to their offices as it was gathered that IPOB had employed the services of town criers, who went round to tell the people the need to sit at home, saying that security agencies have been commissioned to shoot anyone found outside.

But in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, activities were normal, save for some schools which turned pupils back on resumption in the morning.

Markets, government offices, banks and other public places were all opened, while commercial activities on the streets were normal, suggesting that the people failed to heed the request of the group.

A trader at Eke Awka market, Mr Linus Eze said, “I think the major problem of our people is ignorance. As you can see, market is open, but most traders did not come to the market because they have already been told that security men are stationed to kill anyone who ventures to come out.”

He lamented that security presence on the street was also giving credence to the rumours that police would shoot them if they came out.