Commercial and social activities were brought to a halt in Enugu State as residents adhered to a sit-at-home directive declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The two-day protest was reportedly aimed at pressuring the government to release their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
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Our correspondent, who surveyed the situation in the city, observed that only a handful of people ventured out, and most of them were stranded due to the unavailability of public transportation.
The usually busy streets of Enugu were largely deserted, with only a few private vehicles and tricycles (Keke) seen navigating the empty roads.
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Security forces were deployed at strategic locations across the city to maintain order, but their presence did little to ease the fear that gripped residents.
Schools, offices, and major markets, including the popular Ogbette Main Market, remained closed.
Traders expressed frustration over the disruption to their businesses, fearing both the threat of violence and the financial losses caused by the closure.
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Obumneme Okolo, a trader at Ogbette, shared his disappointment.
“I came out early to open my shop, but the streets were empty, and the market was closed. We heard that Governor Peter Mbah had said the sit-at-home wouldn’t hold, but the reality on the ground is different. We are losing money every day, and it’s getting harder to provide for our families.”
The impact was also felt in the education sector.
Veronica Odogwu, a primary school teacher, opted to stay home due to safety concerns.
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“Even though there was no official directive from the school, I couldn’t risk going out. The tension in my area is too high, and many parents called to say they were keeping their children home. No one wants to take unnecessary risks,” she explained.
Many residents, like Okolo, called on both regional leaders and the federal government to engage in dialogue to address IPOB’s demands, particularly the release of Nnamdi Kanu, to restore peace and stability to the region.
