The three major towns in Imo state, Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe were deserted on Thursday as the treason and terrorism charges preferred against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government, began at the Federal High court in Abuja.
In Owerri, the state capital, banks, schools, markets, malls, fuel stations, and all business outlets were shut down.
All the roads and streets were shadows of themselves, as residents stayed indoors in compliance with the sit-at-home order issued by IPOB in respect to Kanu’s trial.
Thursday’s sit-at-home order in the state appeared to be the mother of them all, as it was difficult to even see a single car ply the roads nor see people trekking through.
Unlike the other days the sit-at-home order was observed, security operatives did ply the roads.
Ikenegbu, Government House Roundabout, Mbari, Douglas, Orji, Amakaohia, Imo State University junction, Akwakuma, Control Post junction, Onitsha Road, Aba Road, Fire Service junction and Tetlow Road, known for huge commercial activities, were empty.
A resident who gave his name simply as Chima said “we are proud to be Igbo. We sitting at home in solidarity with our brother, Nnamdi Kanu, who is being intimidated by the Federal Government. This is not about Nnamdi Kanu, this is about the Igbo race. We are in solidary with Nnamdi Kanu.
“If they fail to produce him in court today, we shall shut all economic activities in Igboland for the next one month. Enough of this intimidation.”
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