In a stern response to the recent one-week sit-at-home order declared by a faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Enugu State Government has threatened to shut down schools and markets that comply with the controversial directive.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the sit-at-home order was initially announced by Simon Ekpa, the leader of Autopilot, a faction within IPOB, on June 14.
According to Ekpa, the civil action was scheduled from July 3 to 5 and continued from July 7 to 10. He stated that the purpose of the order was to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of IPOB, who is currently held by Nigeria’s State Security Service.
However, Emma Powerful, the spokesperson of the IPOB faction led by Mr Kanu, later discredited the declaration, saying that the sit-at-home order did not originate from their group.
Reacting to reports on social media that some private schools in the state were informing parents about their decision to remain closed for one week due to the sit-at-home order, the Enugu State Government issued a statement on Tuesday through the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia.
The statement warned private school owners against complying with the civil order, cautioning that failure to open their schools would result in immediate revocation of their licenses.
Professor Onyia further extended the warning to market unions and shop owners in the state, emphasising that all markets and shops must be open to customers starting from that day. Non-compliance would lead to an indefinite closure of the businesses, he said.
The government reiterated its ban on sit-at-home orders issued by non-state actors within the state, assuring residents that security measures were in place to protect lives and property. It emphasised that Enugu’s inhabitants should continue their daily activities as usual.
The statement expressed the government’s firm stance against faceless groups and misguided individuals attempting to impose unlawful directives on the populace. It declared that such behaviour would no longer be tolerated and vowed to confront and defeat it using all available resources and power.
