Sit-at-home: Commercial Activities Pick Up in Parts of Awka as Residents Shop for Food Items Ahead of Election

• It's a few hours ahead of the Anambra governorship election and residents in the state have stepped out to shop for items in the market
• Activities at the market are beginning to pick up in the state after the sit-at-home directive ordered by IPOB was cancelled
• Legit.ng had a chat with some traders at the market and they shared their views on the recent development and the current market condition

Anambra, Awka- Commercial activities are beginning to pick up in some parts of the Anambra state capital Awka.

There was a lull in business and commercial activities in the state capital earlier on Friday, November 5, when a Legit.ng reporter went around the city.

As of 12:30 pm, activities were beginning to pick up in various areas, especially markets following the suspension of the sit-at-home directive ordered by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

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Some traders displayed their food items, while others simply stood in front of their stalls or shops waiting for customers.

A woman who sells vegetables at the Kwata local market in Awka, Evelyn Chineto, told Legit.ng that she decided to come to the market after she noticed a lot of movement in her area.

Speaking in Igbo, she said:

"I was initially reluctant to come out earlier because of the Sit-at-home, but I noticed people were beginning to go about their daily activities in my area, so I strolled down here to display my vegetables.

"I have rheumatism and sitting one place can affect me. Coming out to sell on a daily basis is a form of exercise for me and an avenue to support my husband and feeding my children."

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Asked if she is not scared of being attacked by hoodlums enforcing the sit-at-home order, Madam Evelyn simply asked a rhetorical question:

"Will they be the one to feed me when I don't have?"

When Legit.ng reporter approached one of the buyers at the market, a middle-aged man, who seemed to be in a hurry, the man said in response to a question about safety:

"Can't you see that I have finished buying and I am hurrying home. I don't want to be caught in any unfortunate situation. These are dire times."

At the market, most of the sellers displayed their food items which includes meat, fish, vegetables, condiments and yam.

A mobile police van was also sighted by our reporter patrolling the area, while the policemen exchanged pleasantries with the traders.

Empty streets as Anambra residents begin Sit-At-Home despite IPOB's Cancellation

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that most streets in Anambra state are currently empty as residents have stayed indoors due to the one-week sit-at-home order.

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Empty streets as Anambra residents begin sit-at-home despite IPOB's cancellation

Although the Indigenous People of Biafra cancelled the order on Thursday evening, November 4, residents have stayed indoors due to fear of being attacked or harassed for stepping out.

Anambra Election: Nigerian Army denies escorting bus with fake voters

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that the Nigerian Army has denied a media report that its troops escorted buses allegedly filled with fake voters being moved into Anambra state.

The viral report of soldiers was described as false, aimed at discrediting the force from performing its constitutional roles, Vanguard reports.

Legit.ng gathered that this clarification was made by the Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Mohammad Yerima in a statement on Thursday, November 4.

Source: Legit.ng