Again, Ebonyi under self-imposed sit-at-home order, as businesses locked down for another Monday

[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]

Greater percentage of the residents of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital and its environs, Monday continued to stay at home despite the announcement by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) last week of the suspension of its sit-at-home order.

This is coming for the second successive Monday, as business activities have ome under lock and key despite the suspension of the original order by the separatist group.

The leadership of IPOB had readjusted its sit-at-home order to be observed only on days their supreme leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would be making appearances in court.

But on Monday, August 23, 2021, made it three consecutive Mondays, the residents of the State would be observing the sit-at-home order, despite the suspension.

Our correspondents who monitored the situation in Abakaliki gathered that banks, motor parks, fuel stations, eateries, major shops, major markets and supermarkets did not open for business.

At Abakaliki International market and Ophoke-Abba market in Kpiri-Kpiri majority of the shop owners did not open for business, just as Abakaliki Rice Milling Industry did not open for business.

There was also scanty movement of human and vehicles on major roads including the Abakaliki/Enugu; Abakaliki /Afikpo highways and other major busy internal roads including Afikpo and Ogoja roads.

Governor David Umahi had said that the people observe the IPOB’s sit-at-home order not out of obedience but fear, and called on security agencies to beef up their operations and surveillance across the State to allay the fears of the people.

The security agencies were seen patrolling round the State capital and its environs on Monday.

Meanwhile, Ebonyi Police Command had on Sunday warned IPOB to stay out of the State as there would be dire consequences if they tried to do otherwise.

A statement by the Command’s spokesman, DSP Loveth Odah, said the Command and other security agencies would embark on a state wide intensive patrols to confirm their preparedness and commitment to the continuous protection of lives and properties of the people of Ebonyi State.

The statement read: “The Ebonyi State Police Command and other security agencies embark on a state wide intensive patrols to confirm their preparedness and commitment to the continuous protection of lives and properties of the people of Ebonyi State and send a warning signal to organisers of SIT AT HOME or any group or persons planning to disrupt the lawful activities of the law-abiding citizens despite series  of warnings through this medium.

“The Commissioner of Police Ebonyi State Command, *CP. Aliyu Garba psc+*  while warning the Sit at Home organisers to steer clear from Ebonyi State, has directed the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Head of Tactical/Operational units to monitor the activities of the groups and intensify patrol across the State.

“He reiterates the Command’s zero-tolerance to lawlessness as the security agencies in the State will no longer fold their hands and watch any group or persons infringe on the fundamental rights of the law-abiding citizens of Ebonyi State in the name of SIT AT HOME or any guise.”

The statement urged the citizens to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimidation or harassment.

“The CP, therefore, appeals to the general public especially, parents and guardians to monitor and discouraged their children/wards from engaging in any unlawful activity or criminal acts as the long arm of the law definitely will catch up with any criminal,” the statement added.