Abia shut down over IPOB sit-at -home order
* High compliance, indication our people no longer interested in Nigeria – IPOB
By Steve Oko
Aba the commercial and economic soul of Abia State was completely shut down Thursday, October 1st, in full compliance with the sit -at-home order issued by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.
All major markets in the commercial town were reportededly deserted by both traders and buyers.
Motor parks and streets in the city were also empty as motorists stayed away from the roads.
The exercise however, recorded partial compliance in Umuahia as some shops which initially did not open for business earlier in the morning later opened midway.
The roads which were also empty early in the morning gradually became busy as the day progressed.
Some residents were seen at the front of their houses watching as s convoy of heavily armed security agencies paraded round the capital city in an apparent show of force.
The exercise as at press time was generally peaceful.
However, the younger brother of IPOB Leader, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, told our correspondent on phone that some saboteurs in their village working for the security agencies had cut the CCTV camera cables around their compound.
He alleged that when they brought a technician to reconnect the cables the same traitors interfered and invited security agents who stormed the area.
He however said nobody was arrested, although he had reported the matter to the police.
Prince Kanu also said that security men who patrolled the village and slapped one youth living close their house on Wednesday night.
According to him, when the youth identified as Chigozie sighted armed security men while sitting in front of his house last night, the security men sought to know why he was pressing his phone and before he could explain himself they gave him a slap.
Meanwhile, IPOB has expressed delight over the high level of compliance with the sit -at -home order.
IPOB said the exercise also recorded huge success in all Biafra cities, describing the success as an indication that “our people are no longer interested in Nigeria”.
IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, commended “all Biafrans at home and in the diaspora ” who heeded the directive to “remain indoors today” (October 1st).
IPOB also thanked promoters and supporters of Oduduwa Republic for participating in the peaceful protest meant to “demonstrate our discontent with Nigeria “.
According to IPOB, the huge success recorded in the exercise was a strong signal that the people are strongly united in the efforts towards peaceful dissolution of Nigeria.
The exercise according to reports was successful and peaceful in different cities in South East and South West, as well as some parts of South West.
While there was total total lock down in Aba as all major markets and motor parks were deserted, in Umuahia, however there was partial compliance.
The statement read in part :”We the global family of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), wish to congratulate Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of Biafra freedom over the successful and high compliance level of today’s sit at home order issued by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“The trending pictures of empty roads, deserted markets and motor parks in Biafra land are only testimonial that our people are no longer interested in the crumbling ‘One Nigeria’ contraption.
“We thank the people of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Enugu and Ebonyi States as well as Idoma/Igede and other Igala clans who complied with the order.
“Similarly, we commend our IPOB family members in the diaspora who came out in their numbers to stage peaceful protests in furtherance of our struggle for self determination.
“We commend our Yoruba neighbours for observing the order in protest against the injustices, marginalisation and killings of indigenous Nigerians. We commend all Biafra people and Odua people who participated in this historic event.
“We must also in a special way, commend all those who courageously came out today to protest at different parts of Oduduwa Republic including Lagos. We, call for the release of all those arrested by security operatives.”
IPOB also demanded the immediate release of all Biafra agitators allegedly arrested by security agents during the exercise including some of its leaders in Akwa Ibom arrested at the eve of the sit-at -home protest.
“We want to put the world on notice of the abduction of Mazi Emmanuel Bassey Ekomiba, the media Head of IPOB in Akwa Ibom; and his collegue, Mazi Victor Sunday Okoro , who were abducted in Akwa Ibom during the evangelism on 30th of September 2020. We demand their immediate release because they are not terrorists nor did they commit anything to warrant any arrest.”
The statement condemned the alleged seige by security agents at Kanu’s country home.
It challenged the Military High Command to deploy soldiers to terrorist enclaves in the North and not peaceful Biafra towns.
“We equally demand the unconditional release of all Biafra agitators picked today by security agents.
“We want those that besieged the home of our leader at Isiama Afaraukwu today to stop harassing residents of the area because they are not terrorists.
“Buratai should send his soldiers to Sambisa forest, Baga in Borno state and other Northern communities taken over by terrorists.
“IPOB is a peaceful movement committed to peaceful restoration of Biafra.
Biafra is a divine project, and there is nothing anybody can do to change our resolve to actualize Biafra independence.”
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