Major markets, shops, motor parks and other public places were early hours of Monday shut in Enugu in compliance with the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Ikengaonline reports.
Recall that IPOB had announced a sit-at-home directive to be observed every Monday across the South-East region in protest of the rearrest and detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The organisation said that the directive will continue until Kanu who is facing alleged treasonable felony and terrorism charges is released from custody.
A correspondent of Ikengaonline who monitored development in parts of the city reports that the directive recorded total compliance in Enugu.
For instance, the government workers literarily deserted the state secretariat which is usually a beehive of activities.
Also, all the motor parks, shops and the major market including banks at the ever busy Garki in Enugu South Local Government Area were completely shut and the roads empty.
Some young people were seen playing football on the major roads.
Some residents of the state who spoke with NAN described the situation as a total expression of the resolve and determination of the people to demand for good governance.
Mr Joseph Maduka, a trader at Garki, said that though the situation had affected his business, but it was one of the sacrifices they had to make to get the county on the right track.
Maduka said that the agitation was beyond the clamour for the release of Kanu from custody, adding that if the country was moving as expected, people like the IPOB leader would not have emerged.
He said that the situation had shown that the political leaders in the area had lost touch of the reality on ground as they could no longer control their people.
“I live very close to this market and came out to check if the market will open. Unfortunately, not even one shop was opened. Those who live far from here will not even see the means of coming out,” Maduka said.
However, Mr Sebastian Njoku, a driver, said that the sit-at-home order was ill timed.
Njoku said that IPOB could have suspended the directive considering that some students were currently writing their Senior School Certificate Examination.
“I heard in the news that the order was suspended but I am surprised that everywhere is empty. We came from Umuahia to Enugu this morning and you can count the number of vehicles on the road,” Njoku said.
