Despite Tight Security, Owerri Shut Down As Residents Comply With Sit-At-Home Order

Residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital city, on Friday, stayed indoors in compliance with a sit-at-home order by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to honour fallen Biafra heroes.

From Douglas Road, Wethedral Street, Government House, IMSU Junction, up to Orlu Road, everywhere was empty despite the heavy presence of security operatives to safeguard lives and properties.

IPOB had fixed May 30 every year as Remembrance Day for fallen Biafra heroes and directed no business or any activity should take place on that day.

In compliance, workers, traders, students, and transporters stayed indoors.

A drive across Tetlow, Wethedral, Douglas Market all in Owerri showed that residents observed total compliance to the sit-at-home order though against their wish.

Meanwhile, Imo State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, has assured residents of safety.

This is even as he warned formentors of trouble to stay away as there was a joint security operation by operatives.

According to him, security operatives from the Army, Airforce, Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp, DSS, Federal Road Safety Corps, Immigration, and Federal Fire Service were stationed across the State to ensure safety of lives and properties and avoid any breach of security.

Okoye said: “the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, has once again called on the good and law-abiding people of Imo State to disregard the disruptive sit-at-home threat issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). He reassures all residents that the Command, in synergy with other security agencies, has activated robust security measures to forestall any form of threat or attack across the State.

“The Service Commanders and Heads of security agencies in Imo—including Brigadier General M. I. Abbas, Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze; DSS Director DD Olushola Aguda; Air Cdre DE Bello, Commander Nigeria Air Force 211 QRG; as well as heads of NSCDC, Immigration, FRSC, and Fire Services—have jointly instituted proactive measures and are working closely with the Police to avert any sit-at-home threat and protect lives and property.

“Joint security operatives have been strategically deployed across the 27 Local Government Areas of the State. These operatives are currently undertaking intensive confidence-building patrols and operation show-of-force to deter criminal elements and reassure members of the public.

“The Imo State Police Command therefore issues a stern warning to any person or group planning to breach the peace by attempting to enforce the illegal sit-at-home threat: such persons will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.

“The Commissioner of Police urges Ndi Imo to remain vigilant, security conscious, and to report any suspicious movement or activity within their environment to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency lines: 08034773600 or 08148024755.”