There was palpable fear in some parts of Asaba, the Delta State capital, yesterday, following reports that hoodlums would enforce the previously suspended sit-at-home order on Mondays, declared by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in protest against incarceration of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Earlier in the morning, unknown, in a bid to enforce the order, invaded Asaba, shooting sporadically in the Bonsaac area, off the Asaba-Onitsha expressway, thereby creating apprehension in the state capital as news of the incident spread.

Many institutions of learning in the area hurriedly closed, with some students already turned back and those already on their way to school retuning home. The confusion persisted until mid-morning.

Schools in communities outside the capital city, but close to Onitsha, such as Okwe, Oko, Akwuebulu, Oduke and even Cable Point in Asaba were shut.

Even the expressway was devoid of the usual traffic, with motorists and commuters staying off the road, especially towards Onitsha.

Many shops and business premises in the area did not to open for fear of being attacked and their wares looted.

A trader told The Guardian that it was better not to open and remain on the safe side, because “if anything happens, you are on your own, as the something bad could have happened before the police or anybody could intervene. I decided not to open, but be around and monitor things.”

Another dealer in wooden materials in the nearby plank market, who gave his name simply as Chibuike, said: “What the government is doing to Kanu is not good. They should release him.”

At the usually busy Traffic Light Roundabout, business activities were partial, as some shops, especially those owned by the Igbo, were closed, either out of fear or solidarity.
When contacted, spokesman for the state Police Command, Mr. Bright Edafe, said the Command had drafted personnel to all nook and cranny of state, especially Asaba, to provide security to the people.

Ogbe-Ogonogo Market was paralysed in the early hours of the day, as traders stayed away from their shops, unlike in the early morning when parents who had earlier dropped off their children in schools, hurriedly withdrew them to avoid an unforeseen circumstances.

The Guardian observed that most of the shops were not open for business until noon, with traders milling around and observing the situation. Normal activities returned after noon, as more shops and offices opened for business in the affected areas.

Some of them said they were apprehensive following threat by some hoodlums that the sit-at-home should extend to Asaba.

In most other neighbouring communities, including Okpanam and Ibusa, it was business as usual. When contacted, spokesman for the state Police Command, Mr. Bright Edafe, said the Command had drafted personnel to all nook and cranny of state, especially Asaba, to provide security to the people.

He said he was not aware of any gunshots, but that there was shooting of fire crackers in some areas. He advised residents to go about their normal businesses and activities and disregard the order, now or in future, saying the police were in total control of the situation

pinkPUSSY:
This letter is not necessary at all. Best is to ignore the news about sit at home and continue your daily activities...

This letter will complicate the issue and create an Impression that there might be clash between UGM and security forces in Delta State thereby making the masses to hide at home to avoid becoming victims of the clash and again making the UGM to achieve their purpose....

Common sense is not really common. Silence is golden.. There are some issues you solve with silence rather than threat or warning..

Thoh:
Thank God that all Ijaws unjustly balkanized into the six States are for Ijaw Republic with Wilberforce City as FCT.

May God bless our Ijaw Republic hero General Ditari and the Ijaw Liberation Front (ILF) he leads.

Bonesbreaker:
It will touch every Igbo communities villages soon they should free MNK

Bonesbreaker:
It will touch every Igbo communities villages soon they should free MNK

gozmok1:
You can't take away economic empowerment while claiming to fight for freedom. Igbos in Nigeria today need unlimited economic empowerment since political power is not available. IPOB's strategy (sit at home) is dumb.

Esama:
No igbo community in ss dont worry with this minus incident you will see drama next time.

Felimax:
Craze people! Maybe they were told Nnamdi Kanu is somewhere in Asaba eating raw beans.

If this people cannot be given the Oyingbo treatment then I will know how foolish Okowa is. If you give the Igbo man an inch they will take yards. Delta state government should know now that IPOB is testing the waters to know how deep they should go.

Resist them by every and any means now that you still have the time. There should also be militant anti protesters just as you had it during EndSARs. You know how to reach them.

Delta state is not a state for Barbarians, if you are one then relocate to your zoo.

Mad people!

Afonjakid:

Don't involve igbos into it and for your info, Asaba is an igbo town..

Felimax:


For your dream! Dream on!

an0daGuy:


Sit at home is not dumb. It’s causing so much pain to the account of the federation.

All remittances from the south east is halted on sit at home days and it squeezes Buhari’s left balls so hard that he had to instruct lie Mohammed to create a bmc branch to make propaganda against ipob to make it seem like igbos are suffering only themselves because of it.

Sit at home continues until the zoo government releases MNK whom they kidnapped and incarcerated illegally.

Esama:
No igbo community in ss dont worry with this minus incident you will see drama next time.

Bonesbreaker:
It will touch every Igbo communities villages soon they should free MNK