Schools and businesses were shut down on Thursday in Enugu State as residents observed the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) in remembrance of Igbos who died during the Biafra Civil War of 1967 to 1970.
Only students who were taking their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination with their supervisors and invigilators went to schools.
Although there was a report of an attack in Nkwo Ibagwa Market in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State on Wednesday, the state didn’t witness any violence or skirmishes on Thursday as a result of the Biafra Heroes Day celebration.
IPoB, a leading pro-Biafra group, had days back directed residents of the South-East to observe this year’s Biafra Day by sitting at home.
The successionists group had scheduled 30 May as a day to remember those who paid the supreme price during the Biafra civil war with Nigeria between 1966 and 1970.
IPoB had while giving the order cautioned the West African Examinations Council against conducting its examination in the Southeast on Thursday. After some backlash, the group allowed only students sitting for the examination to go to school.
However, the state government opposed the sit-at-home, insisting that there was no public holiday for 30 May declared by the government.
The government, in a circular by the Head of Service, Mr. Ken Ugwu issued on Wednesday, warned civil servants and political appointees in the state that those who fail to report to work would be severely sanctioned.
Titled “Clarification on Attendance to Duty on Thursday 30 May 2024, the circular read, “It has become expedient to clarify that the state government has not declared Thursday, 30th May 2024 as a public holiday or sit-at-home day contrary to misconceptions from some quarters.
“May I, therefore, remind our workers that failure to be in their duty posts on the above date will attract summary dismissal from Service in line with the enabling provisions of the Public Service Rules.”
The government had in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Aka Eze Aka, on Wednesday, urged residents to ignore the sit-at-home and come out for their businesses, assuring them of adequate protection.
But despite assurances, the residents totally complied with the IPOB sit-at-home including some government officials.
Meanwhile, it was observed that some workers who came out to go to work could not even find a vehicle to transport them to work. After waiting for several hours at bus stops, they returned to their houses.
Even shops, markets, and public and private offices were closed for the Biafra Heroes Day celebration.
Meanwhile, the attack on Wednesday in Ibagwa witnessed the burning of two vehicles, and two tricycles with goods worth millions of naira reportedly destroyed.
Charred remains of vehicles and tricycles loaded with goods were seen at different parts of the market in viral videos seen by our correspondent on Thursday.
However, the State Police Command has remained silent on the incident as calls placed to spokesman, Deputy Superintedent Daniel Ndukwe were not answered.
