IPOB’s Sit-At-Home Order Grounds Independence Celebration In Enugu
Although the federal government declared today as a public holiday to mark this year’s independence celebration, activities in most parts of Enugu and its environs are literally dead mainly in compliance to the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra.
The pro-Biafran group ordered no movement in all southeast states to denote that there is nothing to celebrate at the nation’s sixty-one birthday. The group also called on what it termed ‘other oppressed indigenous peoples’ of Nigeria to observe same.
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THE WHISTLER gathered that in Ogrute, headquarters of Igboeze North Local Government of the state, there was no iota of vehicular movement as at the time of filing this report.
A resident of the area, on condition of anonymity, said, “We are all at our respective houses. At worst, some major roads were blocked by pro-Biafran groups to ensure that no movement was observed.”
At Nchetenche Nike, Emene, located in Enugu East Local Government Area, residents were seen buying some goods at kiosks skeletally opened in remote areas.
One of the residents, who identified himself as Silas, said, “If you want to know what is happening, take a walk around. I wouldn’t know because I am not ready to risk my life.”
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Our correspondent reports that two weeks ago, scores of people were arrested at Emene for fomenting troubles on a Monday. They burnt a van used in bread distribution. Some tricycles were also reportedly burnt. IPOB had since exonerated itself from the mayhem, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.
The metropolis experienced gridlock last night as residents made last minutes’ efforts to leave the city instead of risking journeys on Friday.
Meanwhile, in compliance with the orders of IPOB, national flags are conspicuously missing in most private and government agencies in Enugu metropolis. Most of the educational institutions in the state capital where national flags were hitherto hoisted have removed them. IPOB had last week ordered for their removal.
