Ipob scores major victory as it records 100% compliance with its sit-at-home order in Anambra State

SECESSIONIST group the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) has recorded a colossal victory with its latest sit-at-home campaign after it enjoyed 100% compliance with the instruction in Anambra State over the weekend.

Last week, Ipob leader Nnamdi Kanu ordered a sit-at-home across the southeast geo-political zone, commencing at 6pm on Saturday and ending at 6pm today. on Monday. He said the order is compulsory and must be obeyed by all the people in the region, warning that anyone seen outside will be killed.

These threats by Mr Kanu have been by widely condemned with local residents saying it was wrong for him to threaten the lives of the same people he claims to be fighting for their freedom. Others noted that the exercise is voluntary and warned Mr Kanu to stop using coercion to get the people to comply.

Despite this, there was near-total registered compliance with the order in cities across Anambra State. Markets, banks, motor parks and other commercial places, including schools and government offices, were under lock and key.

In Awka, the Anambra State capital, streets were totally deserted between 7.30 am and 10am this morning.  Despite the threat from Mr Kanu that men of Ipob's security arm the Eastern Security Network would be unleashed on the streets to enforce compliance to the order, some motorists attending to emergencies were seen driving along the road without molestation.

However, there was heavy deployment of a combined team of security personnel who moved round the town to ensure that no one was molested. Yesterday, the Anambra State Police Command had assured local residents that it would ensure that those who were willing to come out to carry out their businesses would not be molested by any person or group of persons.

Despite this assurance, major markets, including the Onitsha main market, Eke Awka Market and Nkwo Nnewi Market, were all shut. No incident of violence has so far been registered in the state as a result of the exercise.