Sit-at-Home Order: Ebonyi records 70% compliance, courts, banks, others shut down

The two days sit-at- Home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in the entire southeast zone, recorded 70% compliance in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

A tour around the city by the Newspot correspondent, showed that the major supermarkets, banks, courts, eateries, marand ks were under lock and key.

Also, major popular roads in the metropolis like Waterworks Road, Ogoja Road, Abakaliki-Enugu Highway, Ezza Road, Afikpo Road, and others were deserted.

During a visit to the Ebonyi State International market, state Secretariat, and old government house, only a few people were seen out and about.

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The state Government had on Friday last week, declared a week mid-term break for public and private schools at all levels.

However, in a widespread statement that has generated concern in the Southeast, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, categorically denied issuing the sit-at-home order for October 21 and 22, 2024.

The group urged residents to go about their normal activities, dismissing the circulating threats as the handwork of criminal elements and infiltrators.

For over two weeks, a video and several voice notes have been circulating on social media, warning Southeast residents to remain indoors on these dates, citing a sit-at-home order.

The messages threatened consequences for those who fail to comply, sparking panic across the region, particularly in Anambra State.

As a result, several official and non-official engagements, including court cases and school activities, have been postponed.

Sources at the High Court in Onitsha confirmed that cases scheduled for October 21 and 22 were rescheduled due to fears of potential violence.

In response to the circulating threats, many residents engaged in panic buying, stocking up on essentials in major markets across the South-East to avoid being stranded.

Schools also reacted to the situation, with some management teams sending out notices to parents. One such notice read: “Dear Parents and Guardians, due to circulating threats from IPOB, there will be no school on Monday and Tuesday, October 21 and 22, for security reasons. Mid-term break begins on Wednesday, October 23, with students expected to resume on Monday, October 28.”

Despite the panic, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, clarified that the group did not issue any sit-at-home orders. He condemned the threats as the work of “criminal elements” and “Finland-based infiltrators” who are not affiliated with IPOB.

“IPOB did not declare any sit-at-home order on October 21 and 22. The illegal order is from criminal elements who are not our members. We urge our people to ignore this fake order and go about their normal business,” Emma Powerful stated.

Powerful added, “We don’t want to create unnecessary panic. Biafrans must understand that IPOB only acts in the interest of the people, and any sit-at-home order not authorized by us is illegal.”