Some Major Streets of Umuahia (Azikiwe Road, Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba Road, Bank Road etc) appear deserted this morning with few vehicular and human movements......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Major markets like Ubani Market, Isigate, Timber market are all shot down.
Commercial banks, schools, government institutions are also under lock and key.
In Aba, ever busy areas, like Azikiwe, Faulks, Osisioma, Aba/Owerri, Ogborhill and Park road did not witness any traffic.
But denying the ongoing sit at home, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu distanced itself from the purported sit-at-home order scheduled for October 21 and 22 across southeastern states, urging residents to ignore the directive and carry on with their normal activities.
In a swift reaction to a viral video featuring an unidentified man who announced the sit-at-home, IPOB clarified that the directive did not originate from the group.
The individual in the video claimed the sit-at-home was linked to the launch of Biafran armoured vehicles, but IPOB dismissed the announcement as false and illegal.
Speaking further, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful accused foreign-based individuals, particularly “Finland-based infiltrators,” of being behind the false declaration.
He labelled those responsible as criminals intent on spreading fear and confusion among residents.
“IPOB did not declare any sit-at-home order on October 21 and 22. The illegal order is from criminal elements and Finland-based infiltrators who are not our members,” Powerful stated.
He assured residents that IPOB has long suspended sit-at-home directives and any such declarations by unauthorised persons should be ignored.
“We urge our people to disregard the order and continue with their normal businesses. IPOB has no intention of creating unnecessary panic.
“Anyone making such announcements is a criminal element and should not be given any attention,” he added.
Powerful also emphasised IPOB’s commitment to ensuring that residents of the southeast are not subjected to unwarranted disruptions in their daily lives.