Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state on Monday spear-headed a protests against the sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Residents who were too frightened of the group, complied with the order based on past experiences with the deadly group.
The streets in Anambra state were deserted as usual on Monday, which spurred the governor to lead a protest against the order, urging residents to return to their businesses.
The governor led members of his executive council to several banks and markets in the state capital, Awka.
The governor asked traders to open their shops stating that: “The state must avoid giving urchins the chance to take over the helm of affairs. I chose to lead from the front to end this fear of molestation, harassment, intimidation.”
Spurred by the governor’s action, life returned to the streets of Anambra around 1pm, as banks, markets and public places began to reopen.
Twenty-four hours earlier, Governor Obiano had threatened to seal banks and punish market and motor-park leaders who would comply with the sit-at-home order on Mondays as declared by IPOB.
He directed banks, markets and motor parks in the state to be reopened on Monday unfailingly.
According to Obiano, the sit-at-home compliance adversely affected the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the general economy of the state, stating that banks that failed to open on such days would be sealed for a week. He added that if such banks refused to open subsequently, they would be permanently closed.
While addressing transport leaders at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, on Sunday, Obiano said: “I urged the commuters to feel free to ply their usual routes across the state on Monday, whether they ride or drive motorcycles, keke, shuttle, buses.
“If markets don’t open, I will sack the leadership of the market. If the market and park leaders don’t comply, their leadership will be changed within two weeks.”
Chronicle NG reported how IPOB militants raided a school in Imo where WAEC examinations were about to take place.
The gunmen shot sporadically to scare away invigilators and candidates from the venue of the exam.
