Streets in towns and villages across Anambra State were largely deserted on Friday as residents complied with the Biafra Day sit-at-home directive. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group, had called for the shutdown across the South-East region to mark the annual remembrance.
A reporter who visited Awka, the state capital, noted that businesses and public places were completely closed. Residents from other towns and villages in the state also confirmed that most commercial activities had come to a halt.
The Anambra State Police Command reassured the public that there would be no violence during the day. Authorities encouraged citizens to go about their daily activities without fear, promising the deployment of security personnel to strategic locations to maintain peace.
Observations from the state revealed that motor parks, markets, shops, schools, banks, and government offices were all shut. Very few vehicles were seen on the roads, and public spaces were mostly empty.
A resident of Awka, Mr. Moses Ezeh, said the widespread compliance with the sit-at-home was largely driven by fear. He explained that although there was no violence, this was due to the detention of key separatist leaders, Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa.
Ezeh added, “I think it is just fear that is keeping people at home. The deserted streets are a result of past incidents when IPOB threatened anyone who disobeyed their orders. This year, there were no fresh threats because Kanu remains in DSS custody, and Ekpa, who took over after Kanu’s arrest in 2021, is also detained in Finland. Without leaders to incite violence, people stayed home mainly out of fear.”
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cc: Daily Post Ng
