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From Ogbonnaya Ndukwe, Aba
There was a lull in business and commercial activities in the city of Aba, as traders, top businesses, offices and public institutions were shut down in observation of IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s, case that was heard in an Umuahia court, on Tuesday, October 4.
The lockdown, leading to a desertion of the town’s usually busy streets and markets, was in place despite repeated calls by IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful, and Kanu, through his lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, that the exercise had been cancelled and that people were free to go about their normal businesses, without being harassed or molested.
It was gathered that while some individuals, including market traders, schools and a few transporters were seen carrying out their work, most others, especially the big wigs, were in their respective homes with their families, believing that miscreants may again, hijack the situation to attack them as had been the case in the past.
Chief Zebulon Igwe, a motor transport operator, said he and some of his colleagues at the Aba main motor park, stayed away again, today despite observing the normal Monday ‘sit-at-home yesterday, with the public holiday instituted by the Federal Government, in commemoration of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary celebrations.
Chief Igwe, said that though the sit-at-home instituted by the IPOB, in solidarity with the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had been cancelled, people of the South East, were still in love with observing it as a gesture of love and support for Kanu.
“We will continue to observe the sit-at-home, of our own volition in solidarity with the IPOB Leader, who is being detained for asking for the rights of Ndigbo in Nigeria.”
“We don’t see the issue of not doing business or going out to work on Monday, as paying too much for the sufferings Kanu is enduring on our behalf, in the hands of his abductors.”
Speaking in the same vein, a female petty trader, dealing in foodstuffs, at Ngwa Road market, Mrs Grace Anyaele, said, they will not stop the sit-at-home, until Kanu, was set free and released.
“We are staying away from business in response to the sufferings the Nigerian government is subjecting our leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Noting that, although they have been told to start coming out to conduct their businesses on Mondays, and on other special days there were cases involving the IPOB Leader in court, Madam Anyaele said the situation will only change when the people were sure of Kanu’s total safety.
“He is still being tortured and kept in solitary confinement, so why should we be here rejoicing,” she queried.
Senior market officials in both Ngwa Road market (Ahia Ohuru), and Ekeoha Shopping Centre, told our correspondent that though they had directives from the State government to open for the day, and on Mondays, they were fears that hoodlums may cash in on the scanty traders’ presence, to overpower security men at locations to foment trouble.
“We are careful about following government directives to open the market gates, as hoodlums may cash in on this to attack the few security men on duty.”
