By 
By Frank Oshanugor
Shops and offices in Abakaliki the Ebonyi State Capital and Imo State capital of Owerri remain closed on Monday in compliance with the directive of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPoB) given in the wake of the arrest and detention of its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently facing prosecution at Federal High Court, Abuja. Other South-East States are not different also.
A human rights activist Ezekiel Igboji who spoke with our correspondent in Abakaliki on Monday morning said about “99 percent of the shops and offices are under lock and key. Ogoja and Afikpo Roads are the most prime areas in Abakaliki.”
According to him, “combined security officers are seen on convoys patrolling these areas. All business premises are shut down, including banks and there are no recorded cases of harassment or molestation from any IPoB members.”
He added however there were skeletal movement of three cycles and commercial motor-cylists picking a few people that are moving from one place to another.
In Owerri, the situation is not quite different as our correspondent reported that many residents remained indoors with shops and offices locked in what has now become a routine not necessarily out of fear of being attacked by IPoB members or security agents but in solidarity with the Biafran agitation for which Nnamdi Kanu is being detained and prosecuted.
As at the time of going to the press our correspondent reported that there were no IPoB members on the street in Owerri but residents who dare to open their offices and shops may stand the risk of unforseen consequences. In one of the markets visited by our correspondent in Owerri, fewer than 30 marketers were in sight as shops were closed and most roads empty with little or no vehicular movements.
More details about the situation in other South-East States were being expected as at press time and we hope to update readers.
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