Empty Streets as Anambra Residents Begin Sit-At-Home Despite IPOB's Cancellation
- Ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambra, social and economic activities have been grounded in the state
- This is in compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
- Several busy areas in the state capital like Unizik Junction, Ifite, Okpuno Agu Awka have remained empty as residents stayed indoors
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Most streets in Anambra state are currently empty as residents have stayed indoors due to the one week sit-at-home order.
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.
Source: Original
A Legit.ng reporter who visited several busy areas in the state capital like Unizik Junction, Ifite, Okpuno Agu Awka observed a lull in business and commercial activities in the area.
Food seller laments
Ogechi Anyanwu, a food seller at the UNIZIK junction who braced the odds and came out to sell, lamented over the non-availability of customers.
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Her words:
"I come as early as 6:00am daily. All the Keke drivers buy food from me to the extent that before 8:00am, my ffod is finished.
"Now they didn't come out, I don't know what to do about this food now.
"And I heard they cancelled the sit-at-home last night. But people are still afraid to come out. It is just sad."
Source: Original
I thought there will be movement
Nnaemeka Odogwu, a Keke driver at the Ifite area of Awka, wondered why people refused to come out despite IPOB's cancellation.
He said:
"I honestly thought people will come out this morning after we heard on Ogene FM last night that the order has been cancelled.
"I came out thinking there will be movement. Although I stay in this area. I am shocked that people still refused to come out. I know it is fear. But we can't keep living like this."
Things will pick up later in the day
A broadcast journalist based in Awka who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Legit.ng that the situation of things might pick up later in the day.
She said:
"I think the IPOB statement came in late. Perhaps they were negotiating with the powers that be.
"Some people are even skeptical if the statement was from IPOB, but I can confirm it came from them.
"But, I can assure you that things will pick up later in the day. If you notice, people are coming out one-by one. It's just a matter of time before others start coming out too."
Anambra election: Hotel operators planning shutdown over fears of insecurity
In a previous report by Legit.ng, hotel operators in some parts of Anambra are living in fear of their businesses being attacked following insecurity concerns in the state ahead of Saturday's election, and have been planning to shut down their hotels.
Legit.ng correspondents in Awka who struggled to get hotels on Wednesday night, November 3, were told by the hotel management to vacate the premises over fears that their facility might be attacked by unknown gunmen.
Another visit to three other hotels confirmed that about three of them had been shut down.
Source: Legit.ng
Jerrywright Ukwu Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.
Oluwatobi Bolashodun Oluwatobi Bolashodun is a journalist with six years of working experience in the media industry. She graduated from Babcock University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication. Oluwatobi is a former Legit.ng Current Affairs Editor, mostly writing on political, educational, and business topics.
