Anambra State experienced a significant halt in economic and commercial activities on Thursday as the “Biafran Heroes Day” sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was strictly observed.
The directive, aimed at commemorating the fallen heroes of the Biafra civil war from 1967 to 1970, saw banks, schools, markets, motor parks, fuel stations, and other public places shut down across the state.
According to a report by Punch, in major cities such as Onitsha, Nnewi, Oba, Obosi, Awada, Ekwulobia, Umunze, and parts of Awka, roads were eerily empty. Vehicles were notably absent, adhering to IPOB’s call for residents to stay indoors.
This unusual quietness extended to typically busy security checkpoints, including Enamel, People’s Club, Idemili by-pass, and along the Onitsha-Owerri Road, which are often manned by security operatives known for extorting motorists. These checkpoints were left unmanned, reflecting the widespread adherence to the sit-at-home order.
While most areas saw a complete halt in movement, Awka and its environs witnessed minimal activity, although heavy security was present around public places and motor parks. This security presence ensured that the sit-at-home order did not escalate into violence or unrest.
Interestingly, students taking the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations managed to avoid disruptions. Many had strategically relocated close to their examination centers a day earlier to ensure they could sit for their exams without issues.
The IPOB had announced May 30 as a day for residents across the South-East to stay at home to honor Biafra Heroes Day, a day set aside to remember those who lost their lives during the Biafra civil war. As a result, all public and commercial activities were brought to a standstill, with banks, markets, schools, fuel stations, courts, and shopping plazas remaining closed. Youths in some areas took to playing football in the deserted streets and vicinities, making the most of the empty spaces.
The usually busy Niger Bridge and Second Niger Bridge were also devoid of the usual traffic, adding to the surreal quietness of the day.
In response to the sit-at-home order, Anambra State police spokesman SP Tochukwu Ikenga assured residents that security operatives had been strategically deployed across the state to ensure safety and urged citizens to go about their normal business without fear of molestation. Despite these assurances, the residents largely adhered to the IPOB directive, choosing to remain indoors and participate in the commemoration.
This observance of Biafran Heroes Day underscores the enduring impact of the civil war and the strong sentiments it continues to evoke among the people of the South-East.
The IPOB’s ability to mobilize such widespread compliance highlights the group’s influence and the deep-rooted desire among many for remembrance and recognition of the region’s historical struggles.