Southeast governments and police authorities have jointly called on residents to ignore the sit-at-home directive issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The directive, announced by the group, set May 30 as a day to observe sit-at-home activities in tribute to those who battled in the civil war.
In Enugu State, the government reaffirmed Governor Peter Mbah’s unwavering commitment to permanently end the illegal sit-at-home exercise. According to a senior official from the Mbah administration, the state was making progress in the fight against illegal sit-at-home orders and insecurity. He emphasized that the government would not tolerate any disruptions to the peace in the state and urged citizens not to heed any instructions to leave their businesses and stay at home.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s spokesman, Alex Ogbonnia, announced that a decision would be made at the National Executive Council meeting in Enugu.
The police in Anambra State also urged residents to carry on with their normal activities on that day, emphasizing that IPOB remains banned and has no authority to impose such orders on the citizenry. A police source assured residents that adequate security measures would be in place.
In Ebonyi State, the police spokesperson, Joshua Ụkandu, warned IPOB to stay away from the state and urged residents to ignore the order and continue their activities. He assured residents that the police and other security agencies would provide enough security to prevent any form of intimidation on that day.
Similarly, the Abia State Police Command and state officials declared the directive illegal and urged residents to disregard it. A senior government official cautioned that the state would take decisive measures against enforcers, while a senior police officer affirmed that the police would not permit outlaws to disturb the peace in Abia.