Major streets and markets in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia States on Monday were shut down as residents, ostensibly for their safety and others for loyalty, opted to obey the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) rather than recognised state actors.
In Anambra, residents ignored a threat issued by Governor Chukwuma Soludo last week.
But the governor was in Nibo on Monday, 24 hours after 11 lives were lost in cult-related killings.
The states’ chief executive paid the unscheduled visit to the community in Awka South Local Government Area.
He condoled with the families of the victims and community over the sad incident.
He vowed not to relent until the perpetrators of the heinous crime were arrested and brought to justice.
Earlier in the day, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, in a statement on the killings announced a handsome reward for volunteers of information on the gunmen that carried out the evil act.
Meanwhile, on the sit-at-home order, Soludo, while addressing traders at Onitsha Main Market penultimate Monday threatened to seal markets and shops if they continue to observe sit-at-home in the state.
Soludo, during the inspection visit, also said he would be visiting markets every Monday to inspect business activities.
He also emphasised that any shop or plaza that does not open on Mondays henceforth because of sit-at-home, would be sealed for one week, or even up to one month, as the case may be.
According to Ikengaonline, an online newspaper that reports mainly from the South-East geographical zone, it was observed that economic activities were shut down in the State capital, and the commercial city of Onitsha, as major roads and streets were deserted.
Shops, filling stations and banks were under lock and key and school children were turned back in their school.
“All the children who went to school on Monday were asked to go back following the sit-at-home order,” a resident told the reporter.
Okey Madu, who runs a provision store, said he decided not to open the shop because of the fear of being attacked.
Another resident, Catherine Nwosu, accused the government of not providing adequate security while ordering the public to go about their businesses.
“People were being apprehensive considering the series of attacks recently. The government refused to provide adequate security to boost confidence to operate without fear,” she said.
In Abia State, economic and other activities were completely paralysed on Monday as residents stayed indoors in total compliance with the Monday sit-at-home order of IPOB.
Both Umuahia, the state capital, and Aba the economic capital, were on their knees as the streets were deserted and the roads empty.
Markets also did not open while motor parks were equally deserted.
Pupils and students as well as teachers stayed at home as schools did not open for studies.
Banks also did not open to customers while only few street shops opened for business.
Residents stayed back in their houses for fear of the unknown.
Security agents were on patrol earlier in the morning but there was no reported incident of violence in the state.
The identities of those behind the sit-at-home order have remained an issue of controversy as both the mainstream IPOB, and the Simon Ekpa-led faction, are yet to take responsibility.
The sit-at-home recorded total compliance, a development, a source attributed to denial of family members access to IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by security agencies.
In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, it appeared residents adhered to and showed maximum level of compliance on Monday, to the two-day purported sit-at-home order.
Markets, financial institutions, petrol stations as well as private and public enterprises in Abakaliki metropolis remained closed in the early hours of the first day of the civil disobedience action.
A reporter with Ikengaonline who moved round the city reports that as at 8 O’clock in the morning, major roads and streets of the capital city were virtually free of human and vehicular traffic, an indication that most residents are keeping indoors.
A banker who preferred anonymity said he was in the office with his colleagues but they were advised by the management not to open for business.
“It will also not make any sense to open since customers are all at home. We won’t serve ourselves.”
At the Abakaliki International Market, a few persons seen there said they came out with the intent of doing business but met what they described as a disappointing situation in the market.
A resident, James Ike, urged government to do everything within its power to end the incessant sit-at-home order.
He notes that the exercise is affecting the the economy of the South-Eastern region adversely.
Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies were seen around the city on patrol to forestall any breach of peace.
● Additional report by Ikengaonline
