The sit at home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to residents of the South East on Monday grounded activities in virtually all parts of Imo State with Owerri, the state capital being the worst hit.
The organisation had last week, issued the order in protest and prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu over the continued detention of its leader.
The order was however dismissed by some people as puerile and unreasonable.
This was moreso as the state police command in a statement advised members of the public to ignore the order and to go about their normal legitimate businesses with an assurance that adequate measures had been put in place to protect lives and properties.
Curiously, as early as 6.30am the usual daily boisterous activities in the town had disappeared as markets, shops, banks, fast food centres, popular eatery joints/relaxation, mobile food vendors and artisans had taken flight from the city.
While the Owerri/Orlu road, Wetheral, Tetlow, Okigwe, Port-Harcourt and Onitsha roads were deserted, the remnant portions of the popular Owerri main market (aka Eke Ukwu Owerre), relief market, New market and World Bank markets wore the ugly toga of a conquered enclave.
The picture was the same at the ancient Afor Umuaka and Nkwo-Ordo markets in the Njaba and Mbaitoli council areas respectively.
The non availability of commercial vehicles on the roads for Umuahia, Enugu, Port–Harcourt and Onitsha bound passengers opened the gate for some drivers to make quick money by secretly loading and ferrying desperate passengers through the bush paths before linking with the main roads leading to their destinations.
Our roving reporter who monitored the situation noticed the presence of armed soldiers who patrolled the major roads intermittently, apparently to nip in the bud possible outbreak of law and order just as some residents were seen in groups discussing the situation and others merely stayed indoors.
Some streets within the town were converted into football pitch by idle youths who played balls on them as there were no vehicles to disturb them.
Mr. John Amadi who sells bags of rice, beans, tined tomatoes and vegetable oil told our reporter thus “my brother, I do not want to take any risk because these IPOB boys are dangerous and they can strike at any point in time hence I have closed my shop”.
As at the time of filing this report, movement was still scanty but only few residents were seen trekking to their destinations amidst palpable fear and apprehension.
Meanwhile, the IPOB members said the action would continue every Monday of the week till further notice, Imo State workers are begging government to be providing vehicles on Monday to enable them go to work.

By: Joe Nwachukuwu, Owerri