A cross-section of traders in Abia and Imo says the two-day sit-at-home crippled their businesses and caused them huge financial losses.

A middle-aged man warned South-East residents to remain indoors on October 21 and 22 for their safety in a viral video about a fortnight ago.

The unidentified man claimed that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra would launch its flag and armoured personnel carriers in the five states of the region on the two days.

He feared security agencies would attempt to counter the move with dire regional security consequences.

The video caused panic among the people as markets, shops, banks, business premises, and schools in the region forcefully closed for two days.

An Aba resident, Chinaka Samuel, said that the sit-at-home imposed on residents had become inimical to their economic survival.

Mr Samuel appealed to the federal government “to dialogue with IPOB and release Nnamdi Kanu,” the leader of the group, to end the sit-at-home phenomenon.

He also urged IPOB to consider the consequent losses brought on the region’s economy by its incessant order.

A trader, Mrs Ijeoma Kelechukwu, said her children had nothing to eat since Monday “because of the sit-at-home, which took us unawares.”

She said that she went for burial on Friday and learnt of the order upon her return in the evening.

She also said that she could not shop on Saturday as a Seventh-Day Adventist faithful.

“Now, since the sit-at-home started on Monday, my four children and I have had nothing in the house to eat. This sit-at-home should stop. Government should do whatever it can to stop it for us to return to our normal life again,” she said.

In Umuahia, a community health worker, Ijeoma Eze, said that businesses in the region had suffered great losses, worth billions of naira, during the two-day sit-at-home.

Ms Eze said she runs a patent medicine shop but could not open for business for the two days.

“My stock has run down, but I could not restock because the big pharmacies in town did not open. This sit-at-home has affected my daily income for these two days as the breadwinner of my family,” she said.

Ms Eze opined that the solution to the challenge faced in the South-East remained the unconditional release of Mr Kanu.

The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development executive director, Nelson Nwafor, said the sit-at-home order had become worrisome.

Mr Nwafor said, “Sit-at-home has become a very serious concern because of its resultant negative outcome on the economy of the region. We are calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu because this will address the issue of sit-at-home.”

The streets of Aba and Umuahia were completely deserted for two days as residents stayed home for fear of being attacked. In Imo, residents of Owerri, the capital, complied with the sit-at-home order, bringing socio-economic activities to a halt.

Banks, schools and major markets, such as the popular Eke Onunwa Market and Relief Market, remained shut. The roads were also deserted, and no vehicles or security personnel were in sight. Also, motor parks and recreational spots, such as the Owerri Mall, were locked.

A school proprietor, Charity Udochukwu, said she had to comply with the order “for the safety of our staff and students and to avoid being the scapegoat.”

Udochukwu said that the situation was likely to affect the school calendar and students’ academic programme if left to continue.

A trader, Emmanuel Nwokorie, said he would endure the two-day order “as long as it guarantees my safety,” irrespective of the hunger from the economic lockdown.

Also, a food vendor, Igoloma Nduka, said she had been out of business since Monday in compliance with the directive.

Mr Nduka wondered why security agencies were not seen on the streets to guarantee the safety of lives and property.

According to her, the absence of security personnel from the streets contributed to the fear, leading to total compliance with the order.

A cleric, Chisomaga Ononuju of the First Apostles Mission, Owerri, expressed dismay over the government’s inability to address the issues that led to the situation.

Mr Ononuju argued that sit-at-home observance in the South-East would end with serious government intervention. He regretted that the directive was crippling businesses in the region and other parts of the country.

He said, “Almost every business, if not all, in the country, has something to do with the South-East. So, this situation is definitely affecting other parts of the country, apart from the South-East.

“For instance, I learnt that some parts of the north did not get power supply because the Transmission Company of Nigeria could not activate supply from somewhere in Enugu as a result of the sit-at-home. This is serious. It is an issue of national concern and should be treated as such,” Mr Ononuju said.

However, some hospitals and other health service providers, such as laboratories and pharmacies in Owerri Municipal, shunned the order.

Few vehicles were on the MCC/Uratta Road, while some small businesses, such as hair salons and mini shops, opened for business.

A hairdresser, Maria Ezeh, said she had to open when her customers kept calling, adding that the area was free from unrest.

Petrol stations and big supermarkets were closed.

Meanwhile, the police command dismissed a viral social media video that alleged an attack on the Okigwe LGA building.

In a statement by its spokesman, Henry Okoye, the command said, “The Imo State Police Command is issuing this statement in response to a recent viral video showing vehicles set ablaze by individuals affiliated with IPOB/ESN enforcing an unlawful sit-at-home order in Okigwe.

“The command confirms that this video is misleading. The incident depicted actually occurred in 2022. Its re-circulation is a calculated attempt by mischief makers to instil unnecessary fear and anxiety in the people.”

Mr Okoye urged residents of Okigwe and the state, in general, to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities without fear.

In collaboration with other security agencies, he assured them that the command was committed to combating misinformation and ensuring a safe environment for all and sundry in the state. 

(NAN)