Sit-at-home order: Medical doctor, others killed, vehicles burnt in South-East

Despite conflicting directives from some leaders of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPoB) over the sit-at-home directive to protest the detention of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government, major towns in the South-East were completely shut down on Monday.
The level of compliance was high as many streets were empty of vehicular and human movement.
Banks, government offices, schools, motor parks, markets and other public places were deserted in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

Two persons were reportedly killed at Nnewi, Anambra State. One of them was said to be a Medical Doctor coming back from night duty.
Some vehicles were burnt at Upper Iweka, Onitsha.
In Imo State, two persons in an Inter State Mass Transit bus were burnt to death.
Occupants of the bus could not give reasons why they were on the road.
The sit-at-home enforcers allegedly set the bus, including the two occupants, on fire.
A Sienna bus was also set ablaze.
IPoB had penultimate week declared indefinite sit-at-home every Monday until Kanu is released, but Kanu’s younger brother, Kanunta, on Sunday, called for the suspension of the sit-at-home order citing the conduct of the ongoing National Examination Council (NECO) as a reason for the soft-pedalling.
But, IPOB in a swift response through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, countered Kanu’s family, insisting that the sit-at-home order “is sacrosanct”.
Emma Powerful had told South-Easterners to disregard a statement from South-East governors against the sit-at-home order.
He said: “We the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to remind all Biafrans and friends of Biafra that the Monday sit-at-home order is sacrosanct. The entire Biafra land will be locked down every Monday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm beginning from tomorrow, August 9, 2021 until our leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was abducted in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria and locked up in DSS dungeon in clear violation of international laws is freed.

“Consequently, there will be no movement throughout Biafra land on Mondays until our leader who is suffering for our freedom is released. This protest is peaceful but firm. Everybody is advised to stay indoors in total compliance.
“All markets, schools, motor parks, airports, and public places in Biafra land should shut down from morning to evening every Monday. We understand the economic implications of this measure but we are constrained to take it so that the world will know that our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is not alone in the struggle for Biafra autonomy.
“We want his immediate release and our total freedom, and cannot hesitate to pay any sacrifice needed to achieve this including locking down the entire Biafra land on Mondays.
“All residents and visitors in Biafra land are advised to comply with the order. Nobody should go out to avoid any clash or intimidation by the wicked Nigeria security agents.”
All major markets in the commercial city including Ariaria International market, Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Ahia Ohuru, Cemetery Road Market, and others were completely shut down.
The ever-busy Milverton Avenue in Aba harbouring a Luxury bus park was a ghost of itself while the streets were totally deserted.
Roads were virtually empty except for the occasional movement of vehicles on essential duties.
Some security agents were sighted in the morning but quickly withdrew.
In Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, some traders offered skeletal services to customers.
Their boys were outside to quickly inform them if the sit-at-home enforcers were approaching.
Due to the fact that banks were shut, a few customers made their transactions through Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).
Some youths were seen playing football on major streets.