Some residents of Enugu State on Monday protested against continuous sit-at-home enforcement by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPoB) in the state on Mondays.
Armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, the residents were seen protesting against the illegal sit-at-home order, which they claimed has paralysed economic activities.
One of the inscriptions read: “We no longer meet up with our hire purchase because of sit-at-home”.
The protest came as the state government officials moved around parts of the state capital and sealed businesses that continued to obey IPoB’s order.
On 5th June, Governor Peter Mbah banned Monday’s sit-at-home in the state and urged residents to go about their legitimate duties. He also improved security around the state.
As early as 8 am on Monday, the residents gathered under the auspices of a Coalition of Civil Society groups and marched around the state capital to encourage the people to return to their Monday businesses.
Led by their coordinators, Oninye Mammah, Bismark Oji, Charles Ogbu, Eberechukwu Anigbo, the protesters carried banners with inscriptions such as: ”Enough is Enough”; “Say no to Sit at Home in Enugu” and “Enugu people must be freed from the shackles of those who want to hold it down”, among others.
They also sang solidarity songs in support of Mbah and against the sit-at-home as they marched through major roads and streets and converged on Michael Okpara Square.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Rev. Emmanuel Ede described the protest march as “heartwarming”, saying it was an indication that residents were no longer comfortable with the forced sit-at-home every Monday in the state.
Executive Director of Heroine Women Foundation, Mrs. Onyinye Mammah, who spoke on behalf of the coordinators, explained that they decided to take the bold initiative, following the devastating effect the continued Monday sit-at-home has had on the economy of the state and the Southeast region as a whole.
Officials of the state Capital Territory Development Authority moved around parts of the State on Monday and sealed businesses that refused to open in compliance with an earlier order of the governor.
Some shops were “sealed with immediate effect” at the Spar and Polo Malls, among other places that refused to obey the directive to open for business.
