Social and economic activities were grounded in Umuahia, Abia State capital on Monday, in response to the sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The separatist group had in a viral video urged residents of the five Southeast states to stay indoors to avoid likely loss of lives as it scheduled to hoist its flag and launch its armoured tanks, events it believed might be violently resisted by the Nigerian armed forces resulting in bloodshed.
IPOB reportedly declared Monday 21 and Tuesday 22, October, as sleep or sit at home even as it demanded the unconditional release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu currently in DSS custody.
The situation as monitored in Umuahia was total compliance as shops, markets, offices, banks and schools were shut. Even intra-city commercial transport services were withdrawn except for a few diehard tricycle operators. Most commuters became stranded as they were caught unaware.
It is not clear which of the factions issued the order, the one led by Simon Ekpa or Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In recent times, the IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had denounced the Ekpa faction as betrayers and urged the people not to heed or comply with its directives.
However, the Ekpa faction has vowed to stretch the agitation even to violent limits declaring itself as the Biafra government in exile.
Some residents lamented the development saying it had crippled commercial and social activities and the livelihood of the people especially those surviving run on the daily routine macroeconomy.
A shop owner, Frank Chijioke, said he had to lock his shop to avoid any ugly incident.