By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Social and economic activities were grounded on Monday in parts of the five states in the Southeast geo political zone of the country in observance of the sit-at-home order slammed on people of the area by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The order which takes effect every Monday in the states is in sympathy for the detained IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is facing trial for various offences including treasonable felony against him by the federal government after his rearrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria.

Two persons were reported to have been shot dead and vehicles burnt in Nnewi town in the early hours of the day.

Details of the incident were sketchy as at the time of filing report, although it was learnt that the ugly incident occurred when suspected IPOB members and motorists clashed in the area.

ThisNigeria monitor in Awka the Anambra state capital and adjoining towns in the state showed that all the markets, shops, banks, motor parks, schools and government institutions were deserted and under lock and key even as major roads were empty except for skeletal movement of vehicles and people.

Residents have stayed indoors for fear of the unknown as shops around the stead’s were locked with people sitting in groups while discussing the state of affairs as they are affected as well as in the polity.

At the popular Eke Awka located along Zik’s Avenue in the capital town, traders and market women who arrived the area for normal business activity were not allowed entry as everywhere within and outside the market were locked.

Vehicular movement along the area was restricted by fear except for tricycle operators who plied the routes, though not in their large numbers as they used to be the case.

Highways witnessed few motorists along Awka-Abatete; Awka-Onitsha-Enugu expressway and Onitsha-Owerri road respectively.
Few filling stations opened for business while those along the Awka-Onitsha-Enugu expressway were shut, though it believed that they may open as residents monitored the progress of compliance of the order.

However, battle ready armed policemen were deployed to strategic locations around the capital city to avert any breach of law and order.

Our Correspondent who went round some centers and business premises as well as markets in Awka discovered that police Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and other patrol vans were stationed at the junction leading to the State Secretariat Complex with stern looking operatives at the popular Aroma junction.

Similarly, armed policemen and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) were stationed with two patrol vehicles at the Unizik Temporary Site (Tem Site) junction along the Awka-Onitsha-Enugu expressway.

Another patrol vehicle and operatives were seen around the Eke Awka Market round about even as people on foot moved about without molestation.

At Nkwor Nnewi, Main Market Onitsha, New Parts and other major markets in parts of the state were deserted.

Also, workers in government ministries, parastaltals and agencies kept off their offices and in defiance of the order as well as threat by Governor Willie Obiano to sanction any erring workers who fail to come to work, insisting that they would not be paid their August salary.

Further checks revealed that the doors and gates of various government hospitals especially Odimegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, were flung open to patients and people while schools including Unizik Awka were also shut in compliance to the IPOB order.

In Abia, Abia state capital, soldiers were seen patrolling the major roads as Ariaria Main Market and other markets, shops and business premises remain shut.

Bonfire was set at strategic locations along PortHarcourt/Aba road, and other major routes as vehicles were not seen anywhere while a tricycle was set ablaze as the rider who dared the order by IPOB members, was visited with severe beating before his tricycle was set on fire.

A resident of Osisioma, near PH/Aba road who gave his name simply as Anthony Okafor said, “My brother we are indoors, there is no road to any place; bonfires were set with tyres at strategic areas along major roads. Soldiers have been patrolling up and down and other vehicles were not allowed to ply roads. Even a tricycle operator who entered the road in the early hours of the day was beaten and his tricycle was set ablaze. We are suffering here because we can’t go to work and all markets are not open for businesses. You know how tense such situations used to be in Aba, everybody is afraid.”
In Owerri, Imo state capital hordes of soldiers were deployed to Orsu, Orlu, Owerri town and Okporo to ensure orderliness even as residents were scared to to about their normal activities for fear of any arrest or mishaps.

An indigene of Akatta Autonomous Community in Ori-East local government area,near Okporo community in Orlu told ThisNigeria that everywhere was deserted and people stayed in their homes in fear followed heavy presence of soldiers who on mounted Army APC and other vehicles, patrolled the area since Saturday morning.
According to the resident who preferred anonymous, “Nobody came out today (Monday) because of this Sit-At-Home order. Soldiers in large numbers with APC vehicle and others moved round the community and other areas and therefore people are afraid to go out.”

No doubt, the Sit-At-Home order raises pertinent questions about who gains and loses as the emerging scenario cripples the economies of the states in the Southeast zone of the country.

State House’s kitchen equipment, ICT infrastructure etc. need to be replaced – Presidency

Following the shutdown markets and shops as well as other outlets, road side food sellers made brisk businesses as travellers, residents and passersby who were held back by the IPOB order besieged them for breakfast and lunch meals