Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Popular roads in Anambra State have been deserted as residents have complied with the sit-at-home order announced by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an outlawed secessionist group.
Ikengaonline correspondent who monitored activities in Awka, the state capital and other parts of the state, observed that businesses, including markets, schools, banks and motor parks are closed in honour of the Biafra remembrance day.
As at 9am, major roads in Awka including Government House-Quarters axis, Ziks avenue, Amaenyi road, Amawbia, some parts of Okpuno were deserted with skeletal pedestrian movements in the town.
Reports from Umunze, Ekwulobia, Onitsha and Nnewi have it that the situation is worse as residents remained indoors for fear of being harmed. A source said the fears could not be unconnected to messages, and videos circulating on the internet.
The messages are purported to be coming from IPOB members, threatening anyone who dares to leave their house on May 30 for any business or activity.
Meanwhile, Police in Anambra State said their operatives have demobilised some IPOB sit-at-home enforcers in the state.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Tochukwuu Ikenga, said police operatives intercepted a gang of armed men operating on motorbikes and demobilised one of them.
“Following the intelligence gathered, our operatives today, May 29, 2024, by 2 p.m., laid ambush on the miscreants along the Oba flyover in Idemili South, intercepted a gang of four armed men operating on motorbikes, and demobilised one of the miscreants suspected of IPOB, while the other three escaped the scene with bullet injuries.
“The Operatives recovered a locally made Barreta pistol, four expanded cartridges, two phones, and some signals/initials showing unpatriotism and disloyalty to the Nigerian government.
“Preliminary information shows the armed men were regrouping to enforce an illegal sit-at-home tomorrow, May 30, 2024. Meanwhile, the operatives are on the trail of the three armed men who escaped the scene.”
He said the CP has charged the operatives to sustain the tempo of the onslaught against the criminal elements and continue to deny them the space they enjoy to commit havoc in the state.
