Despite the suspension of the weekly sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Banks, business centres, eateries reportedly failed to open on Monday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
It was gathered that the state capital streets and roads were deserted.
While businesses, especially markets operated on a low level, few persons who came out found it difficult to get commercial vehicles, tricycles and motorbikes they could board to their destinations.
Also, major markets like Nkwo- Orji, Alana International Market, Ekeukwu Owerri, Amakaohia and Akwakuma markets were nearly empty.
The ever-busy Imo State University Roundabout, Government House Roundabout, Cherubim Junction, Control Post Roundabout, Warehouse Roundabout, Emmanuel College Roundabout and Fire service Roundabout all in Owerri were deserted on Monday morning.
Cooperate offices, roadside business owners in Ikenegbu, Mbari, Okigwe Road, IMSU junction and Aba Road also failed to open for the day’s business engagement.
A resident said that he didn’t go to work because he didn’t believe the news that IPOB had cancelled the sit-at-home order.
He said, “I am not going anywhere. I will stay at home today because my life is more important to me. They may be telling us that the sit-at-home order has been cancelled so that we will come out and be harmed. One day with my family will not kill me.”
Recall that IPOB had declared a sit-at-home order in the South-East every Monday to protest the detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
However, following the killing of eight people last week Monday, the secessionist group, in a statement on Saturday issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful suspended the order , adding that the sit-at-home would now hold whenever Kanu appears in court.
