By EMMA ELEKWA Onitsha

Commuters moving in and out of Onitsha, Anambra State were on Monday stranded following partial restrictions of vehicular movement within major roads in the commercial city.

The Nation gathered the restrictions might not be unconnected with trial of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Commercial buses plying Awka-Onitsha route had suspended operations over fear of being trapped in the looming crisis, particularly as videos of bonfires at the popular Upper Iweka and other strategic areas of the town went viral in the social media.

Those who dared the situation took advantage of the development to exploit their passengers.

While some charged N500 more than the usual cost of N300 from Awka to Onitsha, others charged as high as N600.

Parks visited by our correspondent around 8am witnessed commuters waiting hopelessly for scarce buses while those who insisted on traveling paid through their noses.

Shops, markets and offices were under lock and key while some major streets are deserted in the commercial town.

One of the commuters, a civil servant who simply identified himself as Oliver, wondered why a court matter going on far away Abuja would have such impact on people in Anambra state.

Oliver, who resides in Onitsha but works in Awka said he decided to go back home after several efforts to get to work failed.

“I can’t understand our people. Why don’t they vent their anger on those in Abuja than transferring the aggression on innocent people like us? I better go home and rest than risk my life for no just cause, ” he said.

Another passenger, Regina Anene, who was traveling to Onitsha from Awka said she had to disembark from the bus she boarded immediately the driver announced where the journey would terminate.

“Thank God the driver informed us on time where he will stop everyone. I wonder how I would have trekked that long distance to reach my destination. It would have been frustrating,” she said.

The Nation further learnt that tension was also high in Nnewi, the industrial city of the state as persons suspected to be pro-biafran members took over some major streets, engaging in bonfires and damaging vehicles who they claimed violated the movement restrictions. (The Nation)

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