By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Major cities in Anambra State on Wednesday became ghost cities following the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Recall that IPOB had instituted the no movement order for May 30, 2024 as a way to celebrate Biafra day in remembrance of late Biafra soldiers who died in the course of the civil war.

The group had warned that anyone who flouts the order would face the consequences.

To this end, the bubbling cities of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi became deserted as people stayed indoors while markets and shops remained closed.

For instance, the ever busy Enugu-Onitsha expressway as at 9am was totally deserted with no vehicular movements.

Motor parks were also a ghost of itself as neither passengers nor passengers were in sight.

Our correspondent who took a walk in some major areas of the city observed that the popular UNIZIK junction which harbours many motor parks including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, etc, parks were totally deserted.

Banks, super markets as well as markets were all closed to mark the Biafra Day remembrance.

Information has it that Onitsha and Nnewi had stiffer compliance as residents remained indoors.

Meanwhile, police in Anambra State has announced that it has apprehended one person in the state who was among a group enforcing the sit at home order.

A press release by the spokesperson of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said: “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 the case of any violence in their area.