Despite assurances by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and the Imo state government that the monthly sit-at-home ordered by the group had been suspended, Owerri, the state capital, was completely grounded on Monday.
The residents had last Monday heeded to the advice to go about their duties, but no sooner had they gone out than some members of the group, gathered and chased them home.
There was a serious stampede as students, motorist and marketers caught in the melee scrambled to get into few buses making quick getaways.
Not to be caught up in another stampede again, they decided to stay at home.
Schools, markets, hotels and major commercial centres were firmly shut while teachers and students deserted lectures
The state and federal secretariats were ghosts of their selves as even civil servants dared their employers to stay at home.
Our correspondent, who went round the Owerri metropolis at about 1.30 pm, saw youth taking advantage of the lonely streets to play football.
A resident, who gave his name as Michael, said he could not afford what his family suffered last week by venturing out.
He said, ” I could not afford to take another chance after what we suffered last Monday. So my children didn’t go school today and my wife with the children all stayed at home. There is always another tomorrow but there will not be another life.”
No response from the state government as to whether it would take punitive measures, especially against civil servants that refused to turn up for duties.
In one of the instances, the state government had shut banks that obeyed the order.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, was not available for comments.
Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustrative purposes
