Sit-at-home order: Economic activities crippled in Anambra despite Obiano’s order
Despite the directive of Governor Willie Obiano that all businesses in Anambra State must be opened, banks, supermarkets, filling stations and others shut down in Awka and environs on Monday. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had directed people in the zone to sit at home in solidarity with its arrested leader, Nnamdi Kanu. The […]
The “sit-at-home” order by IPOB to protest the detention of its leader Nnamdi Kanu left many popular hubs of the south east empty on Monday, like this location in Umuahia. Photo by Linus Effiong
Despite the directive of Governor Willie Obiano that all businesses in Anambra State must be opened, banks, supermarkets, filling stations and others shut down in Awka and environs on Monday.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had directed people in the zone to sit at home in solidarity with its arrested leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The group had also rescinded the order but its members refused to return to works on Mondays.
Disturbed by the huge economic loss as a result of the order, the governor after meeting with some stakeholders in the state directed that all banks, supermarkets and others should go out with their normal businesses.
Daily Trust, who monitored business activities in Awka, the state capital, gathered that all the banks, supermarkets and some other businesses shut their business for fear of being attack by the miscreants.
All the banks in Awka along the Onitsha-Enugu expressway, locked their gates against customers , while the transporters withdrew their vehicles in various parks in the state capital.
Though the popular Eke-Awka market was open, traders refused to open their shops for business.
Our reporter, who visited the market, discovered that the gates were opened but the traders were nowhere to be found.
One of the traders, who spoke with Daily Trust off the record, said there is no how people who know they won’t be compensated if attacked, would open their shops.