Sit-at-home : Again, Imo in Total Compliance

Residents of Owerri, the Imo capital, have totally complied with the sit-at-home order of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, a separatist group.

Our correspondent who monitored the situation on Tuesday reports that all socioeconomic activities were brought to a halt in full compliance with the order.

Banks, schools and major markets such as the popular Eke Onunwa and Relief markets were locked down, with zero presence of security personnel as well as zero human and vehicular movements.

Also, motor parks, small businesses and recreational areas such as the Owerri mall were locked down.

A school proprietor, Mrs Charity Udochukwu said that she had to comply with the order “for the safety of our staff and students and to avoid being the scapegoat “.

She however said that the situation was likely to affect the school calendar and the academic welfare of students if left unchecked.

Mr Emmanuel Nwokorie, a trader, said that he would endure the two day order which ends on Tuesday for as long as it would guarantee his safety, irrespective of the increased hunger resulting from lockdown of businesses.

Also, Mrs Igoloma Nduka, a food vendor, said she had been out of business since Monday, in compliance with the directive.

She however wondered why security operatives abandoned their duty posts, adding that the absence of security personnel contributed to the total compliance as civilians could not assure themselves of their security if they flouted the order.

A cleric, Mr Chisomaga Ononuju, of the First Apostles Mission, expressed dismay over the inability of government to address the issues which have led up to the situation.

He argued that with government’s intervention, the order would cease to exist , as according to him, it was crippling businesses in the southeast and other parts of the country.

“ Almost all, if not all businesses in Nigeria have something to do with the southeast, so this situation is definitely affecting other parts of the country apart from the southeast.

“ For instance, some parts of the north did not get electric power supply because staffers of the Transmission Company of Nigeria could not activate supply from somewhere in Enugu, where they are complying with the order.

“ This is serious, it is an issue of national concern and should be treated as one “, he said.

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