Business and commercial activities were completely grounded in Onitsha, Anambra state while schools, public institutions, markets and street shops were under lock and key. Markets, including popular Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Central Market, Bridge Head Medicine market, food markets Ose Okwodu, Coca Cola market, Relief Market Okpoko and spare part markets, among others were all shut from business activities. Banks located within the commercial city and its environs and suburbs were all shut contrary to plans to open for business following government’s directive to workers in the State to report to work or lose their salaries. Major roads and streets were deserted, including the ever busy Niger Bridge, Onitsha/Enugu expressway to Upper Iweke through Army barracks, Ziks roundabout to Nkpor and old Ogbunike toll gate were turned ghosts areas. No human and vehicular movements were sighted at both ends of Onitsha and Asaba, the Delta State capital as the two pedestrian cross of the bridge were completely deserted. Some persons on masks with assorted weapons were sighted beating, maiming and destroying valuables of those who defied the order. Even Sunday’s statement by Kanu’s younger brother, claiming suspension of the order, as well as government directive threatening to withhold salaries of workers who did not report to work could not encourage residents to go out to their respective businesses. Some residents, who spoke to the Nation, said their safety was paramount to them. The civil servants among them admitted hearing about the government directives but said they did not want to take any chances. One of them said said: “I had planned going to work today, but when I came out, I couldn’t even find a keke to take me to park, not to talk of the bus that will take me to Awka.” Another said: “We are ready to forfeit our salaries as long as our lives are intact. Is not when you’re alive that you can work and be paid?”

Two persons were reportedly killed in Nnewi, Anambra State on Monday amidst a near total compliance with the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Three buses were reportedly set ablaze in the industrial city of the state while a Toyota Camry vehicle was seen abandoned along the street with the driver said to have fled. The Nation gathered there were gun shots around Izuchukwu junction of the area around 6am. A resident, who preferred anonymous, said he was surprised to see the two corpses along the road. “We couldn’t believe our eyes when we came out to see two lifeless bodies of young men. Yet, nobody could explain who was responsible.” Roads and major streets were deserted while markets, offices, banks and other public places remained closed as at the time of filling the report. When contacted, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying Police operatives were already at the scene. “I can confirm to you that there was an incident in Nnewi roundabout, police operatives are currently there but details are a still sketchy. “Further information will communicated please,” he said.

The Sit-At-Home ordered today by IPOB throughout Igboland in solidarity with and protest for the release of detained Biafra independence leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from DSS detention is still continuing with social and commercial activities ground to a halt in Enugu. All schools including government schools are closed except NECO exam class teachers, invigilating and examining teachers who had trekked distances or paid exorbitant clandestine motorists who are mostly military security operatives. Afor Awkunanaw, very proximate to the 103 Battalion Barracks, Enugu, the Ogbete Main market and Kenyatta markets are all under lock and key. ‌ Banks have also closed their doors for security reasons. Even government agencies, hotels and other public concerns have also shut their doors to the public. Curiously there is sparse security deployment except for soldiers and policemen and their patrol vans coursing through empty streets.