The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has stated that over 250 people have been killed since 2021 by sit-at-home order enforcers in the Southeast.
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of the apex Igbo group, stated this on Tuesday while speaking on the detrimental impact of the action on residents of the southeast.
Iwuanyanwu, who kicked against the continuation of the sit-at-home action in the southeast, called it an “illegal order” that has subjected Ndigbo to untold hardships and the loss of lives and properties.
“The Ohanaeze, once again, condemns the incessant call for sit-at-home in the Southeast by Simon Ekpa. It is, indeed, disheartening that the people of the region are being subjected to hardships by this development.
“Unfortunately, several non-state actors, in an attempt to enforce the order, have unleashed mayhem on the people. As a result, many have been killed and maimed, and properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed. In addition, the sit-at-home orders have been instilling fear in residents, making it difficult for them to come out and transact their lawful businesses.
“The Southeast is known for micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, indigenous manufacturing, fabrication, and agro-allied industries. To this end, several authorities have put the losses encountered by the people at trillions of naira on each sit-at-home day.
“The region has witnessed the loss of clients and customers who have found alternatives because of the unstable business environment. The food transporters to the Southeast now charge more. More so, insecurity and the menace of unknown gunmen have worsened,” Iwuanyanwu said.
