The sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) was partially observed in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu as several residents went about their normal activities as students devised means to dodge the ire of the separatist group.

IPOB designated every May 30 as ‘Biafra Hero Day Remembrance’, ordering people of the Southeast to respect and observe the day by staying at home.

They called for total lockdown in the region, including students sitting for the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The level of compliance in some parts of the region was partial compliance, as some residents obeyed the order while others went about their normal activities.

Despite few vehicular movements, students could sit for their mathematics examinations.

Civil servants and public schools went about their normal activities, while some streets, markets, and shops were deserted despite the heavy presence of security agencies.

An SS3 student in Enugu, who did not want to be named for fear of being victimised, said several students went to school, and those sitting the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination slept in the exam hall a day out of fear of IPOB before the exam to enable them to take the exams.

“We wrote general mathematics both theory and objectives today. Many of us that are day students slept in the classrooms to avoid missing the examination due to the sit-at-home order.

“As you can see, we are done with the examination and we are going back home to meet with our families,” she said.

Another student in Awka, Anambra, said they walked to school in groups to get to the examination centre, but nothing happened.

She stressed the need for parents to enrol their children in schools close to their homes in case of such eventuality.

Some civil servants in Enugu said they went to work per government directives but met empty offices.

Another civil servant who works on the outskirts of the Enugu capital said she came out early in the morning but could not see a vehicle to convey her to the community where he was working.

She said, “I came out early this morning but there was no vehicle. I am worried because the government said every civil servant must come to work today. I am going home. I cannot kill myself over what is not my fault.”

Meanwhile, some traders in Ogbete Market said the market opened, but they decided to respect the Biafran fallen heroes. They recalled the huge sacrifices these men and women from the region made for the entire people of the zone.

Chukwuemeka Ifeanyi said Biafra’s fallen soldiers and others killed in the course of ensuring Igbo freedom deserved respect and honour.

“I don’t want to risk my life, so I am at home celebrating the day with my friends,” he said.

It was similar in Ebonyi, as the streets and markets were deserted, and very few shops were open for work.

(NAN)