Residents of Onitsha and Nnewi, the commercial and industrial cities of Anambra State on Monday observed the sit-at-home order despite repeated statements suspending it by the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Virtually all markets in the two cities, including the densely populated Onitsha Main Market and Motor Spare Parts Market in Nkwo Nnewi were all shut down on Monday.
All the major roads and streets in the two towns and their suburbs were deserted with banks located along them under lock and key.
Normal business activities by artisans on the roads and the streets in the towns were paralysed.
State and Federal Government establishments, including hospitals and Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) were virtually empty as patients, workers and customers avoided visiting them.
READ ALSO: Sit-at-home: IPOB insists on suspension, says violators risk arrest
A source alleged that market leaders got a threat alerts that their families would be wiped out if any market was seen open while another source disclosed the sustenance of the sit-at-home might not be unconnected with an oath taken by leadership of markets, motor parks, Keke operators, among other groups.
Those who spoke with the Nation restated their commitment to the compliance with the order despite suspension, saying they were ready to make the sacrifice.
They accused Southeast Governors of allowing the directive to continue to paint IPOB black and incite its detained leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, against the people of the zone and the Federal Government.
One of them, Aloysius, said: “There’s no going back in the sit-at-home. We’re ready to sacrifice a day in the week for the cause we’re fighting for. The way our fathers survived the three years civil war is the way we’ll survive this one.”
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