Southeast divided as sit-at-home lingers in Enugu, Anambra, Imo
The sit-at-home protest called by the Simon Ekpa faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was largely ignored by residents of Ebonyi and Abia and States yesterday.
But it was effective in Enugu State where it stopped the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal from sitting, and partly in Anambra State.
Some IPOB members yesterday staged a protest at the Finnish parliament in Helsinki, denouncing Ekpa as an impostor.
The IPOB factional leader resides in that country from where he has been exchanging hot words with the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Peter Cardinal Okpaleke and the Senator representing Anambra South, Ifeanyi Ubah, over his inciting statements.
Despite the deployment of security personnel in Enugu, residents ignored call by the state government to come out and transact their businesses.
Banks, schools, markets and shops in the state capital were shut as residents remained at home, a few days after some pupils and their teachers in Enugu West were flogged by those enforcing the sit at home.
Lawyers, members of the public, newsmen and security operatives who had gone to the tribunal yesterday for the continued hearing of the petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga against the election of Governor Peter Mbah in the March 18 governorship election in the state, met the court room shut.
Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, had, late on Thursday, said work, business, schooling and other legitimate endeavours would resume yesterday and that some of the hoodlums enforcing the illegal sit-at-home in the state had been arrested.
“It is noteworthy that many enemies of Enugu State and Igbo land, the hoodlums, anarchists, and criminal elements, who hide under freedom agitation to perpetrate destruction, violent crimes, as well as those who engage in scaremongering through fake videos and images, have been tracked down, apprehended and are being brought to book,” he said.
He added: “We are winning the war and therefore call on Ndi Enugu to volunteer information to the authorities on any suspicious person and movement as well as those who use the social media to spread rumours and instigate panic among the members of the public.
“The government directs offices, schools, business premises, and markets, including Ogbete Main Market, among others, to open for business.
“Failure to comply with this directive will be deemed as willful undermining of government’s policy and efforts to restore full working days, productivity, and entrepreneurship in the state, and will as such be met with appropriate sanctions.
“Government urges members of the public to disregard any scaremongers and go about their businesses, as security measures are fully in place to continue to enforce law and order and safeguard lives and property.”
Biafra agitators had relaxed the protest on Thursday to enable residents stock food items ahead of the continuation of the action yesterday.
It was gathered that hoodlums stormed places like Emene, New Haven, Abakpa, Agbani Road and the NOWAS area, in Transekulu and Maryland to enforce the protest.
Nnamani: IPOB action, self annihilation of a people
A former governor of Enugu State, Dr.Chimaroke Nnamani, yesterday described the state of insecurity by IPOB in the South East as the final conquest of the Igbo ethnic nationality.
Writing on his Twitter handle @ChimarokeNamani, the former governor said: “The final conquest of the Igbo ethnic nationality of Nigeria. A self-annihilation of a people.
“The ultimate supremacy of ignorance, incompetence and foolery. Mass hypnosis induced by failed leadership. A shameful social implosion. So called leaders became mute while the people wept.
“Maybe the popular Gburus should affirm. Are we still in God’s hands? Or are the gods to blame? As mama says, ‘this too shall pass’”.
Anambra police dispute protest reports, threaten to go after ‘purveyors of fake news’
The Anambra State Police Command threatened, yesterday, to go after those it accused of spreading fake news on social media about the security situation in the state following reports that hoodlums invaded the Onitsha Main market to enforce the IPOB sit at home.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that the command would put a stop to the evil mischief of such persons.
He said those to be targeted were persons who share false security alerts and messages affecting the peace and smooth flow of businesses in the state.
Ikenga said the mischievous elements had been posting modified old videos of security incidents to cause panic in the state; a situation he said was unacceptable.
His words: “It is an attack on public safety which must be resisted.
”We are on top of our duties of protection of lives and property, and we will never take that for granted.”
The spokesman said that businesses were fully opened yesterday because of the confidence the people had in the security agencies.
“The police together with other security forces have intensified patrols in the event of any security challenge, and I can attest that business is ongoing in major markets in Anambra, business is also smoothly moving in Nnewi and its environs today July 7.”
It’s business as usual in Abia
Business was in full swing yesterday in Umuahia, the state capital and the commercial city of Aba, after residents shunned the sit at home.
Major markets, government institutions, schools and other private facilities including banks opened for operations despite a downpour.
Inter and intra-city transportation services also went on unhindered.
A trader, Mr. Fidelis Okere, said people were ready to come out and do their business outside the usual Monday sit-at-home, adding that they would only stop observing the Monday sit-at-home when Nnamdi Kanu is released by the federal government.
IPOB members protest at Finnish parliament
Some members of IPOB yesterday protested at the Finnish parliament in Helsinki, denouncing Simon Ekpa as an impostor.
IPOB unit4 Madrid, SPAIN in a tweet yesterday on the development said: “IPOB LEADERSHIP AT THE FINLAND PARLIAMENT.. WE R TELLING THE WORLD TO TELL GOVERNMENT TO OBEY COURT ORDER, & FREE MNK. ALSO LET THE GOVERNMENT BE AWARE THAT SIMON EKPA IS NOT AN IPOB MEMBER, NOT WORKING FOR MNK BUT RATHER DESTROYING BIAFRAN LAND…
Ekpa attacks Catholic bishop, engages Ifeanyi Uba in war of words
Ekpa, responding to the recent condemnation of his activities by the Catholic bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke during a church programme, issued tirades against the bishop who he said had now met ”his match” in him (Ekpa).
Okpaleke had said: ”My beloved people, there is a young Igbo man called Simon Ekpa. Have you people been hearing about him? He is living in Finland with his wife and his children and he is threatening that Nigeria will not be fine.
“Money is being contributed for him in the name of fighting the course of Biafra. He should come home so that we can be in this together.”
Ekpa also took on Senator Ubah who had warned the IPOB factional leader to desist from his action or face his wrath.
Ubah said: “For about two years now, we have observed every Monday as sit at home. We are losing our economic base and most importantly, we are losing jobs and business opportunities.
“As the representative of Anambra South, Nnewi North being the political capital of Nnewi South, we deem it fit to say that we will not continue to have sit-at-home on Mondays.
“From this Monday, every business in Nnewi will open for business. We have our men and we have our system. We are resolute to fight any aggression that will come.
“I have heard from one Simon Ekpa. For 17 good times you have mentioned Ifeanyi Uba and I did not reply you. You have been seeking for my attention 17 good times and I am replying you today.
“Never ever mention Ifeanyi Uba or Nnewi again. You have your parents in Ebonyi there. Your state is APC state and you never for one day mentioned your state Ebonyi. Ebonyi does not observe sit at home.
“You are in Finland contesting for councillorship or whatever. You go to your job on Mondays but you want to deprive us because you have communication gadgets. You have internet to run propaganda.
“I am an elected officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I represent the people of Anambra South.
“To you Simon Ekpa and your co-travellers for anyone of you to mention sit- at-home again, you will start preaching sit at home from Ebonyi before you continue to mention Anambra State and Nnewi.
“I am telling you Simon Ekpa, be careful, be careful, be careful. I won’t say more than this. You have mentioned me 17 times and I have only replied you once. Try me and you will see. Go and observe sit-at-home in Ebonyi.”
Ekpa in his response said: ”Biafrans, look at the dilapidated state of Nnewi Market. You can’t fight Biafra and win. Biafra is bigger than your entire life.
“We need to remind you that you were rejected by Biafrans at Alaba International Market, Lagos State.
“Ifeanyi Uba, I will end your impunity in Igboland and it starts today. You can never rise again against Biafra freedom and succeed.
“After this episode, you can’t stand in the public and talk. I am more on ground in Nnewi than you.”
And speaking on the sit at home he called, Ekpa said: “We thank Biafra people! The week-long sit-at-home has been peaceful (Biafrans voluntaritary observed it, due to their desire for Biafra referendum). We are calling on @officialABAT to take note that over 70m Biafrans are now in high hope that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would be released.
“I remain Simon Ekpa, The PM-BRGIE of over 70million people. Biafra government is the only government that is recognised by the Biafra people and the evidence is in this video. Today is 7.7.2023 & Biafrans are sitting @ home for their freedom.”
Reacting to the protest staged against him in Finland by Southeasterners who are not in support of his activities, Epka said: “I am on ground, this is my country and here is my city.
“These less than 20 criminals were sponsored by Nigeria government. They came from different parts of the world to Finland to front the interest of Nigeria, shouting Biafra, Biafra.
“In few days to come, Simon Ekpa, the Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In Exile, will officially address Biafrans in Finland and Biafrans in Finland will come and show their faces to the world; not some imported criminals by the Nigeria state.
“Finally, confession has started! One of the protesters today in Lahti Finland is confessing that they were paid to come here but his conscience can’t allow him!”
Poor compliance with sit at home in Ebonyi
The week long sit at home recorded poor compliance in Ebonyi State despite attempts by gun men to enforce it.
Residents of the state have long stopped observing the protest.
However, on Sunday gunmen invaded a police station in Ohaukwu Local Government Area and burnt a patrol vehicle.
On Tuesday, gunmen clad in black overall and wielding AK 47 rifles invaded Ishieke and Ahiaofu suburbs of the state capital and dispersed traders in the area.
They also set ablaze a tricycle and destroyed wares of some traders.
The situation led to businesses hurriedly closing early in some parts of Abakaliki, capital of the city.
Some businesses failed to open on Wednesday as a result of the development.
While some banks opened at noon, some did not open while others ran skeletal services.
The situation improved on Thursday and Friday as more businesses opened for business.
There has been strong deployment of security personnel across the city to forestall a reoccurrence of the attack.
The police in the state said yesterday they had arrested 15 persons suspected to be involved in the attacks on traders and residents.
The men, described as IPOB members, were alleged to be the brains behind the Tuesday attack in the state.
Police Commissioner Faleye Olayele told reporters in Abakaliki that the suspects, including two herbalists, Okwudili Otozi and Nnenna Ali were picked from their hideouts.
He said: “They have attacked our area commander and burnt our vehicle. They have been terrorising the state. On July 4, they came to Ishieke firing sporadically and that was on Tuesday.
“I want to tell you that 15 of them have been apprehended together with their herbalists. We recovered arms and charms of different kinds.”
Olayele said the suspects were preparing for another attack yesterday when they were arrested.
“This shows that our officers are dedicated to their duties; the arrest was made possible by our men through the information we got.
One of the herbalists arrested claimed he was forced to join the gang.
“I did not know that they wanted to operate in Ebonyi. They came to me and requested medicine and I gave it to them, after which they forced me to join them in the bush for further preparations.
“Please, I was forced to follow them after I gave them the medicine,” claimed Otozi.
Normalcy returns in Imo
Normalcy returned to Imo State yesterday as some residents came out for their daily activities.
Unlike the previous days, business activities picked up as companies, restaurants and markets opened to customers.
Passengers were seen at bus stops in the Owerri metropolis boarding vehicles to their various destinations.
Workers were seen at the state secretariat on Port Harcourt Road at their duty posts.
Some of them said they came to the office as early as 8am but amid fear of attack by the hoodlums.
It was learnt that many of them were still nursing fear of the shoot out of last Tuesday at the secretariat where it was gathered many people sustained injuries scampering for safety.
However, at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede offices were closed as some workers who braved it could not gain access to their various offices which were under lock and key. The situation also forced the management to postpone the first semester which was to begin last Monday but has been shifted to next week.
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