By Cajetan Mmuta
Uncertainty and danger were the words on Thursday in parts of State in the Southeast geo-political zone the country as residents and people locked their markets, shop, churches, and banks to observe the sit-at-home directive in honor of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Kanu is facing a seven-count charge of treasonable felony, terrorism, and others brought against him by the federal government.
However, activities monitored in parts of the geopolitical zone showed that all business premises including markets, filling stations, banks, motor parks, schools, churches, major roads, streets, event centers, and eateries were shut down, leaving the towns and communities in the affected states as ghost cities.
In Awka, the Anambra state capital, the popular Eke Awka daily Market, Nkwo Amaenyimarket, popular timber market and others as well as Enugu-Awka-Onitsha expressway; Nkwo Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market, Onitsha Main Market, Afor Nkpor Market, New Building Materials Market Nkpor, and Drugs Market Onitsha were shut.
The situation could better be experienced than imagined as all major and adjoining roads and streets including shops were deserted.
One could not see any moving objects from one point to a kilometer stretch of road while anyone who cared to risk the deserted roads, streets, and lanes were seen from far ends of the areas.
Worse as the situation was, suspected touts at major parks were nowhere seen.
A close watch showed that shops located within streets and lanes of densely populated areas served as gathering points for those who bothered to leave their residential houses.
Vehicular movements had started at about 4:10 pm when people began coming out in trickles from their homes.
A team of operatives of the state police command led by the commissioner, Mr. Echeng Eworo Echeng had led other sister security outfits including the military and Nigeria Security and civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) around the state to boost both the confidence of members of the public and those of the police officers.
However, police in the state have denied alleged attack by unknown gunmen, numbering about 15 in Awkuzu town in Oyi local government area of Anambra state, describing it as fake.
It was learned that “Unknown men had attacked commercial bike riders at Nkwo Awkuzu. The men who numbered about fifteen had matched towards Ifitedunu town on Awkuzu road after the attacks.”
Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga when contacted said, “Please it is fake.”
He explained that “No such incident happened, we urge the members of the public especially Ndi Anambra to disregard it, please. It is the handiwork of mischief makers.”
Ikenga however said that the police commissioner, Echeng Eworo has led a combined team of security men around the state to boost both the confidence of members of the public and those of the police officers.
Ikenga said,“The Commissioner of Police today (Friday) led the military and heads of other Sister agencies on a confidence-building patrol; we just visited Ihiala, Nkpor, Ihiala, and the patrol is still on.”
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However, findings showed that residents of Enugu state Aba and Umuahia in Abia State, Orlu and Owerri towns in Imo state, Abakiliki, Ohaozara, Afikpo, and others in Ebonyi state observed the sit at home order with the closure of all business outlets, a development that crippled activities in five states.
Meanwhile, a commercial tricycle driver in Awka gave his name simply as Jude said we are all happy that Nnamdi Kanu was brought to court. It would have been a different story if they (DSS) did not bring him to court. It does not matter whether markets and business premises were closed or not. We can’t continue to remain like this here in Nigeria because or what?. We are happy my brother.
They should give us freedom since things are not moving on well in this country called Nigeria.”
Checks at the time of this report revealed that there was no incident of attacks and killings in the areas monitored in Anambra state and other states in the Southeast.
