Businesses, including markets, schools, banks and motor parks on some popular streets in Awka, the Anambra State capital, were on Thursday closed in honour of the Biafra remembrance day announced by outlawed secessionist group, Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB.
The ever-busy Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, as of 9 am, was devoid of human and vehicular movements, as popular motor parks around the city were also deserted.
Sources in Onitsha and Nnewi said the situation is worse as residents remained indoors.
There have been lots of messages circulating on the internet, and purported to be coming from IPOB members, threatening anyone who dares to leave their house on May 30.
Meanwhile, police in Anambra State have announced that they apprehended one person who was among a group enforcing the sit-at-home order.
A press release by the spokesperson of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga stated that: “The Command is fully aware of secessionists activities and urges the law-abiding citizens of Anambra to disregard such propaganda.
“As a recent example, on May 29, 2024, at approximately 2:00 PM, police operatives laid an ambush on miscreants along Oba flyover in Idemili South.
“This led to the interception of a gang of four armed men operating on motorbikes. During the encounter, one miscreant was apprehended, while the other three managed to evade capture, sustaining bullet injuries in the process.
“The operatives recovered a locally made Barreta pistol, four expended cartridges, two phones, and incriminating evidence indicative of unpatriotic and disloyal behavior towards the Nigerian government.
“Rest assured, the police, along with other security agencies, have mobilized law enforcement resources to ensure the safety and security of every citizen in the state.”
The command also circulated hotlines for residents of the state to reach out to the police in case of any violence in their area.
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