Despite police assurances of security, residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, say fear of violence and insecurity is the main reason they observed the May 30 Biafra Day sit-at-home order.
A visit by Naija Blog Daily across parts of the city revealed that most streets were deserted, with residents choosing to remain indoors. Businesses, schools, markets, and government offices all stayed shut, and there was no vehicular movement across major roads.
“We Stay Home Out of Fear” – Residents Speak
Speaking to our correspondent, some residents explained that they observed the sit-at-home not out of support for the order, but due to fear of the unknown gunmen who often exploit the situation to unleash violence.
Ferdinand Nzukoka, a barbing salon owner, said:
“Criminals use the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home to rob people and sometimes injure or even kill them. It’s not worth the risk.”
He recounted a disturbing experience where he was stopped by security operatives on a previous sit-at-home day and was falsely accused of being an IPOB member, despite not having any incriminating item on him. He was only released after what he described as “torture and pleading.”
Odinakachi Nduka, a phone accessories dealer at Tetlow Road, echoed similar concerns:
“If the police catch you, they accuse you of breaching public peace. If the unknown gunmen catch you, they punish you for disobeying the sit-at-home. You can’t win, so staying home is the safest choice.”
“Life First, Money Later”
Another resident, Olukoma Njoku, who owns a small eatery, said the situation affects daily income, but prioritizing life is more important.
“No one likes losing a whole day’s income, but life must be protected. If staying indoors means staying alive, so be it.”
A housewife, Mrs. Njoku, suggested a potential solution to the yearly tension:
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“The Federal Government should officially declare May 30 as a national holiday to honour those who died during the 1966 coup and the civil war. That way, it becomes a recognised day of remembrance and not one enforced by fear.”
Streets Empty, City Silent
Our correspondent observed total compliance across Owerri. Shops and markets remained locked, schools and government offices closed, and even street vendors stayed home.
The silence in the usually busy capital underscores the depth of public anxiety around Biafra Day.
Background
May 30 is observed by pro-Biafra groups, particularly the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a day to honour those who lost their lives during the 1967-1970 Biafra-Nigeria civil war. IPOB often declares a sit-at-home across the Southeast to mark the day.
Though the Nigerian Police and military routinely warn against any form of disruption, enforcement from both security forces and unknown gunmen has made the day one of fear and tension rather than peaceful remembrance.
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