IPOB sit at home order takes effect in South-east, despite suspension

Pascal Oparada

Despite the directive and counter-directive by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for a sit at home by its members, there is near-total compliance to the order in the Southeast.

There has been confusion over the order as the brother of the embattled leader of IPOB, Nnamdi said the order is ill-timed and would be counterproductive.

According to the announcement credited to one Kanunta Kanu, who is said to be the IPOB leader’s younger brother, the suspension was due to the National Examination Council (NECO) examination for junior secondary schools, scheduled to hold same Monday.

The IPOB said that a new date for the commencement of the sit-at-home order would be announced later.

The group stated that its suspension of the order followed pleas by well-meaning individuals and groups within and outside Biafra land that the order is suspended to allow students from Igboland to participate in the NECO examinations.

In Enugu, although the police have maintained sealed lips on whether the residents should ignore the order and go about their legitimate duties, members of the group have, however, braced up to ensure full compliance to the directive.

Powerful in another statement, yesterday, insisted that the “sit-at-home” order was ‘sacrosanct.”

He said: “There will be no movement throughout Biafra land on Monday until our leader who is suffering for our freedom is released. This protest is peaceful but firm. Everybody is advised to stay indoors in total compliance.”

Social media posts by residents in the affected areas show deserted streets, markets and roads.

“Here is the ever-busy Ekwulobia roundabout in Anambra state. All shops and businesses are closed with very few vehicular movements.

I sincerely want to know what this order aims at achieving” a Facebook user said.

Others said that the reason there is compliance by people is to ignore skirmishes.