Imo: Banks Remain Closed, Markets, Others Open As IPOB Cancels Sit-At-Home

Owerri, the Imo State capital, witnessed partial resumption of commercial activities on Friday following the cancellation of the one-week sit-at-home earlier declared in the South-East region by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB, which is at the forefront of agitations for an independent state of Biafra in the South-East, had declared the sit-at-home ahead of the November 6 Anambra governorship election. The group cancelled the order on Thursday – about 48 hours to the election.

Our correspondent observed that following the call-off, shops, malls and the popular Eke Ukwu Market, amongst others, opened for business while commercial banks in the state capital remained closed.

Bank customers were left with no option than to rely on ATM machines for withdrawals while those needing banking hall services were left stranded.

“Oga, we are not opened for customers but our ATMs are functioning,” a security official told our correspondent at a commercial bank in Ikenegbu layout, Owerri.

A trader at the Eke Ukwu Market in Owerri said he only opened his shop because IPOB cancelled the one-week sit-at-home order.

“I heard over the radio that the one week sit at home was cancelled yesterday and I’m happy.

“As you can see, I and most of my neighbors opened our shops today and business is going on as usual.”

In a statement announcing cancellation of the sit-at-home, IPOB had encouraged Anambra residents to go out and vote massively for the candidates of their choice in the Saturday election.