In seeming compliance to the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), some schools, banks, markets and other businesses were on Monday morning shutdown at Oyigbo, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the directive is being observed by residents and business operators around the Port-Harcourt-Aba Expressway axis of the LGA while residents and businesses were seen operating normally in other parts, especially at Afam where the council headquarters is located.
The sit-at-home order which would reportedly be observed throughout Igboland starting from August 9, until the IPOB leader is released, appears to be a show of solidarity.
Populated predominantly by Igbo-speaking natives, Oyigbo, is believed to be the stronghold of the proscribed group in Rivers State.
There were conflicting orders concerning the protest yesterday as Kanu’s younger brother, Kanunta Kanu had cancelled the protest citing the ongoing National Examination Council Examinations for junior secondary schools, while Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB countered the directive and insisted on the strike.
Charles Princewill, a resident of the area said many business operators and traders decided to shutdown operations along the expressway mostly for fear of being singled out for harassment and molestation, and their business locations likely vandalized.
He lamented that the exercise will adversely affect students who ought to write their NECO exams today (Monday).
