Economic activities were grounded in the five South East States of Nigeria following compliance with the two – day – sit – at – order issued by the Indigenous peoples of Biafra, IPOB which commenced this Monday.
In Abia, Umuahia the State Capital witnessed total compliance as, petrol stations, Banks and Public offices were not open for usual transactions.
The usual bubbling city Centre known as Isi gate was empty as there was the absence of economic activities and heavy traffic.
At the State Secretariat, it was a ghost of itself as a few workers that turned out later left while the ever busy Ikot Ekpene road that is the link to Akwa Ibom and Cross River States was totally dry .
More prominent was the refusal of parents to release their children for academic activities and according reports there was a subtle decision by the management of both public and private schools to stay away from their schools for the safety of pupils and students.
In Aba, the commercial nerve centre, there was total compliance as various Markets and Public offices including Banks were under lock and key.
In Ebonyi State,there was noticeable apprehension in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, South East Nigeria as residents maximally complied this Monday, to the two-day sit-at-home order.
Markets, financial institutions, petrol stations as well as private and public enterprises in the Abakaliki metropolis, remained shut to activities in the morning hours of the first day of the civil disobedience action.
As at 8 O’clock in the morning, unlike other work days, the human and vehicular traffic were totally free on major roads along the streets of the capital city, an indication that most residents were keeping indoors.
At the Abakaliki major market, a few people that were seen said they were stranded after coming out with the intent of doing business, but met what they described as a disappointing situation in the market.
However, operatives of the Nigerian Police Force were seen on patrol across the major roads of the l State capital.
In Enugu, residents on Monday complied fully with the latest sit-at-home directive.
According to reports, security personnel were even absent on the streets, though there were reassurances from the Enugu state government and the police, urging people to go about their lawful activities.
Businesses at Ogbete Market were closed, banks and schools shut their doors, and the roads were deserted as traders and transporters counted their losses.
In Anambra, there was even prior preparations as some public offices including courts rescheduled engagements already slated for this Monday and Tuesday.
Like other South East States, there was total compliance as markets in Onitsha, Akwa and Nnewi remained closed to business.
Also in Imo State, there was total compliance, despite the assurances of the security agencies advising residents of Imo State to ignore the sit-at-home order as Residents stayed indoors.
According to reports, Owerri the State capital city recorded very poor vehicular and human traffic as Banks were under lock and key and there were no activities in public and private schools.
However at the popular Relief market, only a few traders and customers were seen in the morning hours of the day.
Since Sunday, 20 October the Imo police command had been engaging in a confidence building patrol of major roads and streets, known as “Operation Show of Force” to restore boost people’s confidence t ahead of time to counter the purported IPOB order and threats.
