Even after Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) spokesman, Emma Powerful, had authenticated the suspension of the earlier slated Monday Sit-At-Home order by the IPOB Department Of State, DOS activities are still not operating normally in Enugu. Last Monday’s exercise was total and many looked forward to a repeat occurrence. Residents of the Coal City and environs had taken proactive measures stockpiling supplies to tide them over the sit-at-home period. ‌ Business owners and school proprietors had similarly taken precautionary measures which included excusing employees and teachers to stay home. On Monday morning, the vehicular movement had increased considerably ferrying people and school children to schools, markets, business places and offices. But most private schools had their doors opened but no teachers to attend to children, even public schools were not different even as students and pupils were kept in without much academic work going on. The banks were operating skeletally with serious security consideration. The security presence on streets included checkpoints duty police operatives and convoys of mixed patrol teams going the major streets.

Residents of Awka and Onitsha, on Monday, insisted on staying indoors despite the order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), suspending the ‘every Monday’ sit-at-home protest declared in solidarity with Nnamdi Kanu’s detention. IPOB, speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, had two days ago, called off the sit-at-home order following wide consultations, saying the exercise would henceforth hold only on days its leader, Kanu, would appear in court. But as of 8 a.m., markets in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka, the state capital were still empty as only a few traders had come to the market to trade. ‌ Tribune Online gathered that roads and streets were deserted, while banks shops were under lock and key across Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha. A resident, who identified himself as Vincent Onuegbu, said he stayed indoors because he didn’t believe the suspension of the order was true. He said, “I heard over the Radio Biafra that there was nothing like suspension of the sit-at-home. Besides, we’re not happy if it’s true. We want it to continue till Kanu is released.” Another Awka resident, Mr Ignatus, said if the suspension was true as announced by Radio Biafra, “then IPOB should extent the announcement through town criers, local radio stations and adverts in newspapers. “A lot of traders in Eke-Awka market do not open shops because the suspension information did not get to there on time.” “Government too, has to be blamed for not providing security on the streets and roads this morning to boost people morals to go out without fears,” Ignatius said. He advised the governors, also to help to announce the suspension on the state-owned radio/television stations in foreign and local languages. Some residents in Awka, who spoke to our correspondent, said the news of the suspension was not widely circulated. A trader at Aroma, popularly known as Oga Boss, who trades in phone parts said: “I didn’t plan to go out today because of the sit-at-home. I’m just hearing it from you that it has just been suspended.” A trader in Onitsha main market, Emeka Ezenwata said, “The market opens at 7 a.m. every morning, and usually, on a Monday, after a long weekend, traders itch to come to their shops, and that means that as early as 6 a.m., most traders are already waiting for market officials to open their shops, so they can go to work. “But today, it is already 8 a.m., and the markets are already open, but only a few traders have arrived. As I was coming to market from Fegge where I live, I found the whole street scanty, unlike what used to happen, on Monday mornings, when there is usually a rush,” he intoned. Nnewi, at the time of filing this report, all shops are still under lock and key over the fear of what happened last week Monday, when the sit-at-home order started. YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Anambra streets, roads deserted despite suspension of IPOB sit-at-home order We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state… Anambra streets, roads deserted despite suspension of IPOB sit-at-home order Anambra streets, roads deserted despite suspension of IPOB sit-at-home order.

Two persons died while several others were injured in a tanker inferno in Ogidi near Onitsha, Anambra state. Not less than 14 vehicles, including luxurious buses and other properties worth millions were reportedly burnt in the fire which occurred around the popular International Building Materials market. The Nation gathered the fire, which started Sunday evening, emanated from a fallen tanker conveying inflammable content which fell into a drainage and sparked fire after spilling its content. A resident of the area, who claimed to be at the scene when the incident happened, said the tanker was stationary when another articulated vehicle trailer rammed into it, following loss of control. He said: “Several luxury buses parked around the area immediately went up in flames. Shops and buildings within the area were also not left out too. The fire was too much that it was difficult for fire service officers to battle.” Confirming the incident, Anambra Chief Fire Service, Engr. Martin Agbili put the casualty figures at two while 14 buses and properties were lost to the inferno. He however said the fire could have escalated to other parts of the area if not for the quick arrival of his men and assistance from other stations, including the one inside the market. He said: “Immediately we were alerted, I deployed my men who stormed the scene with five fire trucks to battle the fire which lasted for several hours. “The buses affected in the incident where those within the area. We’re yet to ascertain the number of injured. We thank God we were able to contain the fire.” Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga also confirmed the incident. He said: “Our men have cordoned off the area presently, to avoid hoodlums taking advantage of the fire to loot.”