Tension mounts in south-east hours to sit-at-home order by IPOB
- The Biafra day celebration is just hours away and men of the Nigeria Police Force have been deployed to strategic cities within south-east
- The Inspector-General of Police had earlier warned against stopping movements as IPOB says all markets must be closed
The south-eastern part of Nigeria has been taken over by tension as the May 30 order for people in the zone to sit at home draws close.
The order was given by the Indigenous People of Biafra and other supportive groups as part of activities to mark the Biafra day celebration.
Part of the order would include the closure of markets and restriction of movement.
The police officers are currently deployed to the region
Though the Nigeria Police Force is warning against stopping movements in the region, the desire of the groups and their supporters could result in a clash between them and security men.
The Punch reports that anti-riot policemen have been deployed at strategic locations in the region. They were seen at major markets and the federal and state civil service secretariats in Enugu.
READ ALSO: See how Fayose celebrated with APC leaders in Lagos (photos)
In a last-minute warning to the agitating groups, the Enugu state police command, warned through its spokesperson, Ebere Amaraizu: “Ahead of the planned sit-at-home order being circulated by IPOB, MASSOB, amongst others, the Enugu state command of the Nigeria Police Force has advised members of the public to disregard such order and go about their normal lawful business.
“The command is also advising law-abiding members of the public to watch out for any person or group of persons under any guise who will come to intimidate, threaten or force them to shut down their offices or shops and report such threat to any nearby police station.
“The command in partnership with other sister security agencies and relevant bodies have put in place adequate machinery as security apparatus have been mobilized to fish out those in this habit and bring them to book.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app
“The command has advised those intending to carry out this unpatriotic and unlawful act to change from this, as the command working in partnership with other sister agencies in the state, will not sit and fold its arms and see innocent and law-abiding citizens of the state being molested or threatened by any person or group of persons.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has directed all state commissioners of police to place their states on red alert ahead of the planned sit-at-home order by pro-Biafa groups in the country.
The Imo state, commissioner of police, Chris Ezike, in a statement by the state police public relations officer, Andrew Enwerem, described the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and other pro-Biafra groups as unpatriotic and inciting.
Watch this video of an appearance by leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, in court: