Businesses are closed and roads, streets and pathways of South East Nigeria are deserted as residents obeyed the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra.
The order marks Biafra Remembrance Day to remember and commemorate the millions of Igbos who died during the 1967-1970 Nigerian civil war.
While many stayed home in obedience to the order, others obeyed to escape the violence that would engulf them if they are found on the road or streets.
The result is that in all the roads and streets of the South East States of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo are empty as there was no human or vehicular movements.
Streets in Umuahia the Abia State capital are virtually empty and deserted as residents remain indoors in total compliance with the sit-at-home order given by the leadership of IPOB to mark this year’s Biafra Day.
There is no visible patrol movement of security agents nor the presence of the outlawed IPOB members on the streets.
It was a similar situation at the over-projected nearby Orieugba market which was a ghost of itself.
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu had Sunday night said Abia traders would not be compelled to open their shops today if they chose not to do so.
It was only in Imo State, which has become the hotbed of IPOB activities that while the residents stayed indoors in compliance with the sit-at-home order, combined teams of security agents drawn from the Nigerian Army, Police, Navy and other security agencies cordoned off strategic areas identified as flashpoints in and around Owerri and its environs.
Such heavy security presence was visible along Aba-Owerri road, specifically at Naze No 1, Akachi Road where some Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel were allegedly killed on Saturday
There is also heavy security presence at Okigwe Road and at Imo State University round about.
The same scenario is replicated at Orji Fly over.l and Amakohia/Akwakuma flyover.
However, the situation is different at Dick Tiger junction by Egbu Road, on the road to Enyiogugu Mbaise with scanty military presence.
Similarly, men of the anti kidnapping unit in their patrol vans have taken over Umezurike Hospital off Royce Road, while Ama JK along Douglas Road, Control Roundabout, Concord Hotel Road by first inland road junction and Protea Hotel are no go areas.
It’s also difficult for motorists going to the Airport as Airport Junction Aba-Owerri Road and Obiangwu-Ngor Okpala where a former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, was killed on Saturday are no go areas.
The situation is also the same at Nguru and Logara where military presence is quite noticeable.