By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
Businesses and residents of the five Southeast states of the country again Monday suffered another setback as markets, shops, banks, motor parks and other socio-economic activities came to a standstill following the sit-at-home directive by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra in the areas.

There has been conflicting reports on whether or not to continue with the directive by IPOB members to compel the federal government to soft-pedal in its stance over the continued detention and trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu his after his controversial arrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria few months ago.

The IPOB leader is standing trial for alleged treasonable felony and other crimes brought again him by the federal government.

However, the toll of the weekly Monday Sit-At-Home order by the group has continued to negatively affect the socio-economic and other facets of people of the Southeast geo political zone.

Although, the governors, elders and leaders of the affected states appear to have done little or nothing substantial towards dousing the obvious tension stirred by activities of the IPOB in the agitation for the freedom of people of the region and by extension the actualization of Biafra which to other sections of the nation, is likely to be counter productive for the corporate existence and peace of the country.

Investigations have shown that billions of naira both in cash which flow from taxes and other sources of income are lost in each day markets and other businesses are closed in these states within the zone.

Checks in parts of Anambra state Monday showed that markets, shops, banks and other business outlets as well as motor parks in Awka the state capital, Nkeor Nnewi Auto Parks Market, Onitsha International Main Market, New Building Market at Nkpor; Nsukka town and parts of Enugu state, popular Ariaria Market and adjoining markets including that of Umuahia; Ekeonuwa, Timber Shade Market and New Market all in Owerri, were all deserted.

There was skeletal movement of people and tricycle operators who ply the various routes though with measured alertness due to fear of the unknown.

Workers also avoided their offices and duty at various government agencies and parastatals in Anambra state and sister states for fear of being victims of the Sit-At-Home order.

Sadly, the governors of the states and their leaders have continued to play the ostrich in their poise to curry favour from the government at the center under the guise of politics of interest.

It is on record that a state like Imo state has in the past six months or more suffered untold hardship as most villages, communities, towns and local governments have been deserted and now ghost areas that fear and sleepless nights have become their lot.

Worse as the situation is, young men have become targets by merciless and heavily armed security operatives some of who now invade homes and villages with reckless abandon.

Most condemnable still, is the gory tales and sights of human head and headless bodies of those reported to have been killed by suspected unknown gunmen whose identities and activities are still shrouded in mystery.

For some months past, the serene communities of Orlu town and its environs including popular Orie Okporo, Umutanze, in Orsu local government area; villages in Akwa community, villages in Urah Akatta and Ichi/Amaka in Akatta Autonomous Community, parts of Ubahangwu in Ezi Akatta and those of Nnempi and other areas in Oru East and Oru West council’s in Imo state have become havens for suspected killer groups whose identities are yet to be unmasked by security agencies.

Findings revealed that some families and villages have been turned into mourning due to sudden deaths of some youths whose lives were cut short by unknown gunmen.

In addition, social activities such wake keep, bachelors’ eve and other burial events that run into night hours have dramatically disappeared in most areas in the states.

In Anambra state, residents of Awka have enjoyed relative peace following intensified security by no nonsense vigilante groups even as residents are levied for effective security system by the outfit, though there are still areas where sudden attacks take place.

In Orlu where there are visible signs of the clashes between suspected IPOB members and joint team of armed police and soldiers as well as parts of Akokwa town, anti riot policemen and soldiers mounted checks to forestall any breakdown of law and order in that part of Imo state.

Transfer: No good offer for Onuachu, Club chief reveals

However, Mr. Fidelis Offor, a tricycle operator who spoke on the IPOB sit-at-home despite its earlier stand to suspend the action, said “Honestly, I am tired of this thing, it is seriously affecting some of us. I came out to do my usual work but as you can see passengers are nowhere on the roads and everywhere is shut and dull. This people (IPOB) should please help us. Schools I’ll soon resume and our children must go to school yet nobody even government wants to know how you are feeding and you must pay fees, feed your family and pay for other things.”

Also, Mandy Okon, a shuttle bus driver noted that the way things are going we can’t survive this way. Everything including cost of living is too high yet businesses and markets are shut because of this Sit-At-Home thing. I am confused. I can’t go back to house to be doing nothing now but you can witness what is happening”.

Commissioner of police, Anambra state command, Mr. Chris Owolabi in reaction said “I am at work, I have supervised passage in front of office; we have gone on patrols round the town this morning and we are surprised to see the quiet and what have you,what do you want me to do? The whiteness is good for security , some people voluntarily want to sit at home and making it look as if somebody made them to sit at home, what do you want me to do, it’s their fundamental human rights”.