Despite Imo State government’s directive, residents, yesterday, largely stayed away from their shops and business premises for fear of being attacked. Government had directed residents to shun Simon Ekpa’s sit-at-home order and go about their legitimate businesses or risk having their shops sealed.
It was gathered that residents were afraid the atmosphere was still not predictable despite patrol by security operatives. Police Commissioner, Mohammed Barde, with well-armed officers, led patrol in Owerri and its environs.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Simon Ebegbulem, had, last week, addressed journalists, warning that the state government will seal any shop, business premise or any commercial outlet that violates the directive.
The commissioner reminded them to ignore any form of sit-at-home order by a non-state actor, threatening to compel any defaulter to pay N50,000 fine before such premises be re-opened. He also said such could attract revocation of land.
A few vehicles were seen on the ever-busy Wetheral, Douglas, Okigwe, Egbu, Mbaise Nekede, Bank and Orji roads and environs.The Guardian observed that many shops and markets were closed, while a few hawkers and petty traders were on the street.
Some shop owners, who spoke to The Guardian, said they were afraid of the unknown. An Owerri-based shop owner said: “I cannot listen to the state government’s threat of sealing our shops if we fail to open. The enforcers of this sit-at-home are bad people who are ready to kill.”
MEANWHILE, South East youths, yesterday, took to the streets of Enugu in support of efforts to end the sit-at-home order, saying the region’s economy is being crippled by the week.
This was as the city of Enugu witnessed impressive compliance with the state government’s ban on sit-at-home, with popular shopping malls and markets, as well as banks, opening to customers.
Residents said the two-week sit-at-home order by Ekpa would not work. Speaking to journalists, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, said they demonstrated their desire, resolve and endorsement of an end to sit-at-home observance in the region.
He said: “We are Igbo youths and stakeholders from the South East to declare and endorse the end to sit-at-home.
“We acknowledge the fact that this practice began because of Nnamdi Kanu’s detention. It gained so much support in solidarity with Kanu in the beginning. But now, it is affecting us. Our economy is shrinking, and its adverse effects are just too much.
Miscreants and criminals are causing so much mayhem in our society in the name of sit-at-home. We are saying no to all forms of criminality in the South East. We are convinced that it is now time to end it, just as Kanu himself has said.”