By Ikenna Obianeri
Normalcy is gradually returning to parts of Anambra State after months of lull that usually characterised the weekly sit-at-home declared by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, our correspondent reports.
Our correspondent, on Monday, noted that improved social and economic activities as well as movements in some parts of the state.
Street traders, hawkers, cart pushers, artisans and food vendors, among others, were seen in different locations without any molestation.
The PUNCH reports that there was an imposition of the Monday sit-at-home by IPOB in the South East in solidarity with its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, however, had since announced the suspension of the order, but residents have been remaining indoors for fear of attacks.
On Monday, more people were seen more on the streets of major cities such as Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, Obosi, Oba, and some parts of Awka.
This was a different scenario from what it was some weeks ago, when people were molested and forced to observe the sit-at-home by some hoodlums, claiming to be enforcing the order.
Commercial buses, private vehicles, and tricycle operators were more on the major roads in Onitsha, especially the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Awka Road, Oguta Road, Zik’s Avenue, Eze Iweka Road, Bida, and Oguta Road, among others.
Although major markets, courts, banks, offices, petrol stations, and local government secretariats still remained shut.
However, in some areas that are still volatile, it was a total lockdown as people gathered in their various vicinities discussing matters of interest.
Assuring the people of adequate security, the state police spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, has been asking people of the state to go about their normal activities without any fear of molestation.
Reacting, a commercial bus operator simply identified as Ukakwe, said, “This is my first time coming out since IPOB imposed the sit-at-home order on the people. I came out because I saw many people on the road today, at least 60% of business activities and movement can be said to have been noticed.
“Where I am living, five of us are bus operators, and three of us went out today to work. Previously, nobody would go out, but last Monday two of us went to work, and today three of us went out to work.”
In her own contribution, a trader at Eke Awka market, Mrs Jane Chimzaragbuo, thanked the governor for the enabling environment he has created, adding, “If not for the relentless efforts of the governor, some of us may have been killed by the so-called unknown gunmen.
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