By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Like in a war situation, residents of Awka, Onitsha, and adjoining major towns in Anambra state as well as stretches of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo states were indoors throughout Monday in strict observance amid palpable fear over the sit-at-home order imposed on them by the proscribed members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Sadly, all roads leading to major cities and towns of the affected states in the geo-political zone were deserted as commuters and other motorists stayed away for fear of the unknown.

Also, markets, business premises, shops, schools, churches, mosques, and event centers were shut down as no one dared come out for any ceremonies.

Between Saturday and Sunday, markets operating within the five states were beehives of activities as residents made quick and huge purchases in readiness for the IPOB in order to avoid being caught up in the web.

In Awka, the capital town of Anambra state, checks by ThisNigeria revealed that major routes such as Awka-Onitsha, Amawbia-Onitsha, Onitsha-Asaba road, Obosi-Awka road, Onitsha-Enugu road, Oboloafo-Enugu-Ebonyi road, Aroma-Secretariat road, Zik’s Avenue/Eke Awka road, and other link roads were all deserted.

Those who dared the order by the IPOB group in the early hours of Monday were met with severe attacks while others were shot in the process.

The situation was made worse by the apparent absence of policemen men except for the presence of a combined security team patrolled in parts of the state capital.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga when contacted on the incident said “Normal police activities have been going on since morning (Monday) when the personnel resumed duties and there were no reported incidents of skirmishes like attacks or somebody being shot. Everywhere is calm and peaceful as we speak”.

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Although, there were reports of victims who were shot in parts of Onitsha, Obosi, Nkpor, 33 road areas in the state.

The sit-at-home order according to IPOB is in strict observance and remembrance of the 1967 massacre of over five million Ndigbo in the wake of the then infamous Nigeria civil war that lasted for three years.

The five states of the southeast geo-political zone have witnessed orgies of violent attacks and destruction as well as burning down of key government facilities such as police stations, offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), targeted attacks, and killing of high profile individuals by unknown gunmen, a development that heightened security situation in the area.