IPOB’s Sit-At-Home Order Takes Toll On Rivers …Paralyses Social, Economic Activities

Business activities in some parts of Port Harcourt were, yesterday,  hugely on a low ebb as many traders closed shops following the holiday declared by pro-Biafra agitators.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) had declared  May 30, a public holiday for their supporters to commemorate 50 years of the declaration of the secessionist state of Biafra.
They also said they wanted to remember those who died in the Nigerian Civil War fought between Nigerian troops and rebel Biafra forces.
Our correspondent, who went around the city, reports that major business areas, especially those dominated by Igbo traders, were shut down.
Some traders who were seen around their business premises said they came to monitor the situation and not to open for business.
Some normally very busy roads, such as the Port Harcourt/Aba expressway, Ikwerre Road and the East/West Roads witnessed light traffic.
Meanwhile, some traders at the Building Material Market and the Nkpolu Oro-worukwo Shopping Centre, Mile Three Diobu, Port Harcourt, expressed support for the groups’ call.
A trader, Chief Ike Nwaugo said that the market union had given a directive stopping traders from opening their shops for business during the holiday.
“Nobody will open for business today; it is a directive even from the union in compliance with the call by the agitators of Biafra,’’ he said.
A trader at the Oyigbo Truck Park, Mr Ignatius Okorie, said that the holiday declared in honour of Biafra was responsible for the low economic activity in the area.
“Many people are at home, economic activities are at a very low ebb, the call for holiday is the cause of all these,’’ he said.
However, a lawyer,  Mr Chijokwu Wombu, has criticised the observance of the holiday by some traders in Port Harcourt, saying, “ it is of no meaning.’’
He said the traders staying at home in adherence to the declaration of holiday did not make Rivers part of Biafra.
“I see the whole thing as mere showmanship, the traders merely pretend to have closed shops, but they are all milling around the business premises.
“I tell you that they are in business, just go close and ask for something, you will be surprised that they will sell to you, people should stop being deceptive,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, social and economic activities were paralysed in parts of the South-East as the people obeyed a call by two pro-Biafra groups for a public holiday to commemorate the declaration of the defunct republic.
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) had declared May 30, a public holiday for their supporters to commemorate 50 years of the declaration of Biafra.
They also said they wanted to remember those who died in the Nigerian civil war fought between Nigerian troops and rebel Biafra forces.
Our sources report that markets, schools, government and private offices were shut in obedience to the call.
However, the leader of MASSOB and Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, said the two groups under him were not part of the call for sit-at-home.
Uwazuruike said: “The position of MASSOB and BIM under my watch is that we are not part of any sit-at-home order, all what I am aware is the week-long celebration to mark 18th anniversary of MASSOB and 50th anniversary of Biafra.
“Anybody talking about sit-at-home is on his own, and I have nothing to tell anybody on such activity neither should any problem associated to it be attributed to me,’’ he said.
But in Umuahia, workers in federal establishments and those of the Abia Government stayed away from their offices.
Abia State Secretariat Complex, public and private schools, markets and major supermarkets in the city were shut and transporters stayed off the roads.
Umuahia city centre, known as Isi-gate, was empty and quiet, while the shops in the area and the adjoining streets were all closed.
Many residents remained indoors, while children used the opportunity to play football on some streets.
On the streets, detachments of police and other security agents patrolled, while a police helicopter hovered in the sky to monitor events.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Abia, Mr Geoffrey Ogbonna, told newsmen that there was no threat to public peace.
He said that security operatives were adequately deployed in all parts of the state to checkmate any possible breach of the peace.
Ogbonna said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, was leading a combined team of all-security agencies to maintain the peace.
“The commissioner has been leading the heads of other security agencies in the state to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.
“Abia is calm and people are going about their lawful businesses without any fear of molestation,” Ogbonna said.
In Owerri, two major markets, Eke Onuwa and Relief Markets, remained closed, likewise shops on some major streets, Wetheral Road and Mbaise Road.
The busy Douglas Road, which usually bustles with heavy traffic, was free as traders stayed home.
Banks, eateries and boutiques also closed business activities.
A bank worker, who pleaded anonymity, said the workers were awaiting further directives from their headquarters before they could open for business.
There were few commercial vehicles on the road, while Imo Transport Company shut operations.
Some passengers who arrived at motor-parks early to leave the city were stranded. Mrs Oluchi Uchenwa said she arrive in Owerri at 7a.m. to travel to Port Harcourt but could not get a vehicle.
Students also failed to turn up in school in spite of their teachers coming to work.
The situation also affected activities at the courts with some sitting and others not working.
A lawyer, who did not want to be named, called on the Federal Government to look into the agitation of the pro-Biafra groups and others.
“This kind of situation does not tell good for the corporate image and identity of Nigeria that we are in one country, yet everyday it is Biafra agitation, the other day it is Boko Haram and OPC,’’ the lawyer said.