The Streets of Owerri, the Imo State capital, and its environs were empty on Monday as residents observed the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
The group had over the weekend distributed leaflets asking residents not to come out on Monday.
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Our correspondent, who went around, observed that banks, shopping malls, markets and commercial centres were under lock and key as operators stayed off.
Hitherto, residents had defied the order, but the inability of the government to provide security for citizens to go about their normal duties made them have a rethink.
A resident who spoke to our correspondent lamented the inability of the Imo State government to protect the lives of the people.
Gunmen had on Monday morning attacked the Otoko Divisional Police Headquarters in the Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.
Two police officers were injured in a gun battle between the hoodlums and policemen.
The police Divisional headquarters is situated on the Owerri – Umuahia Express Road.
The Public Relations Officer, CSP Mike Abattam, said the attackers were suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/ Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Last week, the home of the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo was attacked by bandits and the same night, a police station in Umuguma, Owerri West, was also attacked.
Consequently, President Muhammadu Buhari, on March 21, approved the deployment of more security personnel, arms and ammunition to address the security situation in Imo State.
