BY VINCENT UJUMADU, CHIDI NKWOPARA, TONY EDIKE&PETER OKUTU
TWO members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, were feared dead, yesterday, while few others sustained various degrees of injuries in Onitsha, Anambra State while running away from some army personnel on patrol in the commercial city during a sit-at-home call by MASSOB to mourn Igbo killed in northern states by the Boko Haram Islamist group.
An eye witness said the incident happened at Bida Road in the town when, on sighting the soldiers, the MASSOB members sped off in their vehicle which skidded off the road and somersaulted severally.
There was also a clash between the police and MASSOB members at the Oba Junction near the Tansian University, which left three vehicles burnt, including one belonging to the police. No fewer than ten people sustained injuries during the clash.
Sunday Vanguard noticed that there was partial compliance of the MASSOB sit–at-home order in Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi and other towns in the state as many people, out of fear, stayed indoors for the better part of the day. There was also partial compliance in Imo and Ebonyi states while Abia and Enugu residents ignored the MASSOB call.
Most of the shops located along the streets in many towns of Anambra remained closed in the morning hours, although some started opening around noon.
The Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Central Market also in Onitsha, Relief Market in Ogbaru, the Building Materials Market in Ogidi, the New and Old Spare Parts Market in Nkpor, the Nkpor Main Market, the Mgbuka Obosi Old Motor Spare Parts Market were not open for business, although some of the traders stayed close to their shops to attend to customers who came to make purchases from distant places.
Most streets were deserted, although movement was free as transporters were doing their business unmolested.
There was heavy presence of the army, the police and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on the streets of Onitsha to ensure the security of lives and property.
At the industrial town of Nnewi, there was partial observance of the order as some companies opened for business, while some of those located along the major roads were shut. The major Nkwo Nnewi market opened for business though there was not much of the usual bustling.
The ever busy Zik’s Avenue in Awka was deserted with soldiers patrolling the city. Many filling stations in the city did not open for business in the morning, but later commenced when they felt the situation had become normal for them to operate.
MASSOB director of information, Mr. Uchenna Madu, said in a statement that the group viewed the presence of the large number of the army, police, SSS and NSCDC personnel on the streets as an act of cowardice.
Reports from Ebonyi said Onueke, Afikpo, Amasiri, Oso Edda, Akaeze, Ishiagu, Ezzamgbo and, environs were relatively calm even as markets, motor parks, shops/business places were closed. We recorded some percentage of disobedience from people as a result of the state government’s order to open the major markets in Abakaliki. Also, few motorist keke are on the road. Security agents were patrolling almost all the corners of the state,” Madu said.
Some of the citizens, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, reasoned that it was best to stay at home and monitor events instead of jumping into trouble.
Most of the shops located along the streets in many towns of Anambra remained closed in the morning hours, although some started opening around noon.
The Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Central Market also in Onitsha, Relief Market in Ogbaru, the Building Materials Market in Ogidi, the New and Old Spare Parts Market in Nkpor, the Nkpor Main Market, the Mgbuka Obosi Old Motor Spare Parts Market were not open for business, although some of the traders stayed close to their shops to attend to customers who came to make purchases from distant places.
Most streets were deserted, although movement was free as transporters were doing their business unmolested.
There was heavy presence of the army, the police and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on the streets of Onitsha to ensure the security of lives and property.
At the industrial town of Nnewi, there was partial observance of the order as some companies opened for business, while some of those located along the major roads were shut. The major Nkwo Nnewi market opened for business though there was not much of the usual bustling.
The ever busy Zik’s Avenue in Awka was deserted with soldiers patrolling the city. Many filling stations in the city did not open for business in the morning, but later commenced when they felt the situation had become normal for them to operate.
MASSOB director of information, Mr. Uchenna Madu, said in a statement that the group viewed the presence of the large number of the army, police, SSS and NSCDC personnel on the streets as an act of cowardice.
Reports from Ebonyi said Onueke, Afikpo, Amasiri, Oso Edda, Akaeze, Ishiagu, Ezzamgbo and, environs were relatively calm even as markets, motor parks, shops/business places were closed. We recorded some percentage of disobedience from people as a result of the state government’s order to open the major markets in Abakaliki. Also, few motorist keke are on the road. Security agents were patrolling almost all the corners of the state,” Madu said.
Imo: ’Best to stay at home’
The sit-at-home call was partially observed in Imo State.
Our reporter, who went round Owerri Capital Territory, found that a number of shop owners, taxi drivers and artisans stayed at home.
The sit-at-home call was partially observed in Imo State.
Our reporter, who went round Owerri Capital Territory, found that a number of shop owners, taxi drivers and artisans stayed at home.
Some of the citizens, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, reasoned that it was best to stay at home and monitor events instead of jumping into trouble.
Abia: No staying at home
NORMAL business and social activities went on in Abia as residents ignored the sit-at-home call.
Markets in Aba, the commercial city, and Umuahia, the political capital, were all opened for normal businesses.
Social activities such as weddings and burial ceremonies also went on without hitches.
Though there was anxiety about the order, the state government and police issued statements urging people to ignore the order.
Apprehension
in Enugu
THE people of Enugu refused to comply with the call by MASSOB to sit at home.
There was apprehension among the people over the sit-at-home order but there was no compliance as the people went about their normal businesses.
The state police command had, on Wednesday, issued a statement warning those trying to cause confusion in the state to drop the idea or face the wrath of the law.
The command thereafter beefed up security in parts of the state to signal their readiness to tackle the miscreants who masquerade as MASSOB members.
Many residents who woke up yesterday morning expecting to see the enforcement of the order were disappointed as the capital city was calm with many traders doing their normal businesses.
The markets were opened to traders and buyers even though some youths were telling people that there would be no trading at Ogbete Main Market.
Officials of MASSOB were nowhere to be found as policemen maintained presence alomg major streets of the capital city.
NORMAL business and social activities went on in Abia as residents ignored the sit-at-home call.
Markets in Aba, the commercial city, and Umuahia, the political capital, were all opened for normal businesses.
Social activities such as weddings and burial ceremonies also went on without hitches.
Though there was anxiety about the order, the state government and police issued statements urging people to ignore the order.
Apprehension
in Enugu
THE people of Enugu refused to comply with the call by MASSOB to sit at home.
There was apprehension among the people over the sit-at-home order but there was no compliance as the people went about their normal businesses.
The state police command had, on Wednesday, issued a statement warning those trying to cause confusion in the state to drop the idea or face the wrath of the law.
The command thereafter beefed up security in parts of the state to signal their readiness to tackle the miscreants who masquerade as MASSOB members.
Many residents who woke up yesterday morning expecting to see the enforcement of the order were disappointed as the capital city was calm with many traders doing their normal businesses.
The markets were opened to traders and buyers even though some youths were telling people that there would be no trading at Ogbete Main Market.
Officials of MASSOB were nowhere to be found as policemen maintained presence alomg major streets of the capital city.
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