No Independence Day Celebration In Anambra Over IPOB Oct 1 Sit-at-home Order

Residents, faculties, commerce unions, labour unions and others in Anambra State on Friday did not mark the 61st Independence anniversary of Nigeria, over IPOB October 1st sit-at-home order.

Tribune On-line gathered that as of Thursday, plans have been made to carry the celebration of the nation’s 61st anniversary at Ekwueme Sq. Awka, however as a result of IPOB order, no single celebrant confirmed up, besides safety personnel, deployed to protect the realm.

Though the venue was lavishly embellished with Nigerian colors and a podium for Governor Willie Obiano to take a salute, sadly, no person turned up, together with the governor.

On the venue, solely closely armed law enforcement officials, armoured automobiles which have been stationed to supply safety for the occasion, have been seen.

The boycott of the anniversary celebration will not be unconnected with the decision by the group, Indigenous Individuals of Biafra (IPOB), for folks within the South East of Nigeria to remain at dwelling on the day of the celebration.

That is additional bolstered by the spate of killings within the state as witnessed since final Saturday, up until Thursday within the state.

Many harmless folks together with, Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of former data minister, Late Prof Dora Akunyili have misplaced their lives.

A police station was additionally attacked and burnt, leaving policemen lifeless, political events’ branded burnt, whereas many different folks sustained bullet wounds.

As of the time of leaving Ekwueme Sq., organisers of the programme had began dismantling the general public handle system, and different gear initially offered for the occasion, giving the indication that the occasion would not maintain for the worry of the unknown.

Onitsha, the business metropolis and Nnewi the economic city of the state, recorded complete compliance with the order.

All markets within the two Anambra enterprise cities have been shut down as folks abandoned the streets.

Even small streets markets recognized for promoting foodstuff and supplies situated inside Onitsha, which used to transact enterprise on public holidays have been all shut down in Onitsha and Nnewi.

There have been no vehicular and human actions, the way in which it was once on Monday’s weekly sit-at-home, which IPOB had suspended however nonetheless being noticed, however folks selected to take a seat of their dwelling.

All filling stations in Onitsha and Nnewi have been beneath lock and key.

The River Niger Bridge which witnesses every day visitors jams was a ghost of itself as no single car was seen on the bridge, whereas no person, significantly pedestrians who use the pedestrian walkway on the bridge, was seen on the bridgehead.

Newspaper distributors who promote papers even on Sundays have been nowhere to be discovered as all of them stayed at dwelling in compliance with the IPOB sit-at-home.

A resident of Onitsha who spoke to Tribune On-line, mentioned that since folks had been complying with the IPOB sit-at-home, he had by no means seen anybody that had the type of complete compliance, because the October 1 order.

Babies and youths turned the streets and street in Onitsha, to soccer enjoying grounds, whereas mother and father have been seen in several streets buildings and people going through the most important roads, stress-free of their properties.

There was no presence of any safety brokers, on the roads, or at their checkpoints or their ordinary roadblocks, significantly, the Police. Military and Navy.

Nonetheless, 5 Military automobiles loaded with troopers have been seen at Atani Street junction, by Onitsha Enugu expressway, heading in the direction of the Niger Bridge to Asaba, apparently escorting a senior officer to catch a flight in Asaba.

Tribune On-line additionally gathered that the Nigerian Flag was solely seen on the State Authorities Home Awka, Lodges, the Police Command and different safety arenas within the state.