By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The streets and markets of major South-East towns such as Onitsha, Awka (both in Anambra State) and Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, and Owerri, the Imo State capital, were deserted this Monday morning, August 16, 2021.

In Onitsha, markets were empty as at 10:00 a.m. This is against the usual opening time of 7:30 a.m.

In Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, most people chose to stay indoors, even as banks, offices remained under lock and key.

In neighbouring Imo State, banks, business centres, eateries failed to open in Owerri, the Imo State capital. Streets and roads were deserted.

While businesses, especially markets operated on a low level, few persons who came out found it difficult to get commercial vehicles, tricycles and motorbikes they could board to their destinations.

Major markets like Nkwo-Orji, Alana International Market, Ekeukwu Owerri, Amakaohia and Akwakuma markets were nearly empty.

The ever-busy Imo State University Roundabout, Government House Roundabout, Cherubim Junction, Control Post Roundabout, Warehouse Roundabout, Emmanuel College Roundabout and Fire service Roundabout all in Owerri were deserted.

Corporate offices, roadside business owners in Ikenegbu, Mbari, Okigwe Road, IMSU junction and Aba Road also failed to open for the day’s business engagement.

Only a few petrol stations opened on Monday morning as cars plied the roads intermittently.

Reports from Aba in neigbhbouring Abia State also spoke of largely empty streets and markets but not up to the level experienced during IPOB lockdowns that usually paralyse economic and social activities.

This is despite the suspension of the weekly sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The group had earlier announced a weekly Monday lockdown in the entire South-East as a measure to force Federal Government to release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Directorate of State Security (DSS).

However, announcing the suspension on Radio Biafra, Friday night, August 13, 2021, IPOB’s Head of the Directorate of State, Chika Edoziem, said they will henceforth declare sit-at-home whenever their leader would be making appearance in court and not every Monday anymore.

He added: “I wish to announce this very evening, that as directed by the highest command of this noble movement, our Monday Ghost Town or sit-at-home in Biafra land, stands suspended for now.

“The weekly sit-at-home stands suspended, which means in the coming Monday, there will be no Ghost Town in Biafraland.

“Our sit-at-home will be on each court date when our leader, Onye Ndu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be appearing in court.”

Edoziem urged IPOB members to continue praying for their leader “that his health may not fail him and grant him victory for Biafrans.”

Edozien’s announcement was corroborated the next day by IPOB spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful.

The first Monday, August 9 sit-at-home had attracted widespread condemnation in some quarters following its effect on students writing National Examination Council (NECO) Mathematics examination.

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