Commercial and social activities in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State on Monday came to a standstill following the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The two-day sit-at-home was reportedly announced by IPOB as a means of hoisting the Biafra flag in the region and demanding the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently being held in a Department of State Services, DSS, facility.
ABN TV correspondent, who monitored the situation in Umuahia, observed businesses including banks, petrol stations, and eateries did not open while motor parks were devoid of passengers. A few commercial motorists who came out complained of a scarcity of passengers.
Major roads like Azikiwe Road, school road, Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba Road, Uzuakoli Road, Bende Road, and Bank Road all looked empty with few individuals and vehicles available.
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Residents expressed confusion and fear, lamenting that the sit-at-home order had paralyzed commercial activities.
At government establishments, it was discovered that some civil servants did not come to work as those who come from far distances could not connect vehicles to their offices.
The Office of the Head of Service located at Library Avenue was under lock even at 1:30 pm while many public and private schools in Umuahia recorded a drop in attendance.
However, there was no report of violence or molestation of residents as the state capital and its environs remained peaceful even as men of the Abia State joint security outfit, Operation Crush, patrolled the parts of the state to ensure peace and order.
But by 3:00 pm, Isi Gate, the epicentre of Umuahia, was gradually regaining its buzz when ABN TV visited, as many traders and transporters who were hitherto indoors, returned to their shops, hoping to make evening sales.
