Lagos traders shun IPOB’s sit-at-home order

Many Igbo traders in Lagos state did not comply with the sit-at-home order of pro-Biafra groups.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) had asked all Igbo to stay at home to observe the Biafra Remembrance Day.

While south-east residents complied with the directive, the situation in Lagos was different.

Traders in Alaba International market in Ojo local government, Trade Fair market, along the Badagary expressway and places in Ikeja dominated by the ethnic group, went about their different businesses as they would on a normal day.

A businessman who pleaded anonymity said that if he were in his hometown in the east, he would have remained indoors today.

He added that some of his business associates in Lagos remained at home in the spirit of the commemoration of the day.

“We are foreigners in this land and we are under the federal government, so we can come out,” he said.

“There are some of my friends who stayed at home because we understand what they are going through.

“We feel for those over there because they are suffering. There is no movement in the east. If I cross Niger to my village, I will not come out today.

“I can remember, May 30, 50 years ago, when the Biafran declaration was made.”

Omife Sunday, a dealer in phone accessories at Trade Fair, told TheCable that they were celebrating it in their own way.

“We are here celebrating it here, in our own way,” Sunday said.

“There are people that came out while there are those who stayed at home.”

Another businessman said though he did not follow the sit-at-home directive, he believes in the Biafran ideology, adding that if the opportunity came, he would secede with the Biafrans.

“If everyone is asked to leave, I’ll leave too. The directive is for only those in the village, not for Lagos. That is where Igbo people are based,” he said.

“This is a general place, it is no man’s land. We have other tribes here.”

But there is a total lockdown in Onitsha and Awka in Anambra state as most residents are indoors in compliance with the sit-at-home order.

In Enugu, major roads in the state were deserted, just as motor parks and markets were shut down.

Security operatives were also seen patrolling the roads.

While some of the residents who spoke to TheCable lamented over the development, others believe “Biafran heroes are worth it”.

Some of the major roads in the city which, hitherto had always been busy, are currently deserted include Ogui, Abakpa, Old Park, Abakiliki, as well as Holy Ghost roads.

Major markets in the city are also scanty.

Some schools are also not left out as Government Secondary School in GRA as well as Government Technical College situated along Abakiliki Road – among others – are under lock and key.

In Nsukka, one of the most popular local government areas in the state, the situation is also similar as few people are seen along major roads.

At the ever-busy Peace Mass Transit Park located in the state capital, few buses seen inside were not loading even as some passengers were seen lurking around.

Speaking with TheCable, a passenger, who gave his name simply as Ebuka, said he was only able to get to Nsukka from Enugu through the help of an available taxi.

“I waited for about one hour at the park (Peace park) before I went to find a taxi going to Nsukka. I am not even sure they will be loading today,” he said.

He, however, said he still identified with Biafra, adding that “the measure isn’t that bad since it is aimed at honouring Biafran heroes.”

“I think they are worth it,” he added.

Also, Linus Nnaji, another resident, complained that the order should have been made optional for residents.

“What of some of us that don’t want to identify with Biafra,” he asked.

“I was supposed to go for a programme in school in Kogi but I can’t even go again because finding buses na wahala.”

A motorcyclist – Okafor Virginius – who spoke to TheCable on phone said he had gone out for work but saw no passengers.

Scared of the unknown, he had to return home and keep his ears to the ground.

“I went out very early like I used to but there were no passengers, just a few persons. And people are saying there may be fight. I had to go home and wait and see what happens. I will still go out in the afternoon,” he said.

Security operatives had attempted to stop pro-Biafra agitators from halting commercial activities in any part of the country.

Additional reports by Chinedu Asadu