Our correspondent, who visited the major cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and some parts of Awka, observed that markets, motor parks, petrol stations, banks, hospitals and offices remained shut.
Schools did not also open for academic activities.
The ever-busy River Niger bridge and the ever-bubbling motor parks and other environs remained quiet and devoid of activities which the area is noted for.
Even the numerous security operatives mounting road checkpoints at the ever-busy Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, Awka-Enugu Expressway and Awka Road, stayed off the roads.
Also, the shops along the streets and roadsides, which usually offer skeletal services to residents, were totally under lock and key as youths converted the roads and streets to football fields.
A newspaper vendor, who identified himself simply as Chidiebere, said, “I was turned back by some hoodlums as I was going to supply newspapers to our agents in Nnewi. Although IPOB may be justified by remembering those who died during the civil war, it should also be noted that it is somehow affecting businesses in the region.
“We observed the sit-at-home on Monday and today(Tuesday) is another one. What it means is that the week is far spent and the targeted income that is supposed to be generated has been missed.”
Also, a civil servant identified as Chioma Nwosu, who came to Onitsha park, hoping to get a vehicle to work, expressed surprise that there were no vehicles available at the parks, unlike other sit-at-home days that used to experience partial movements.
Nwosu said, “Our people observed sit-at-home on Monday and today again. I did not know that this sit-at-home today is serious like this. I came to the park hoping to get a vehicle going to work, but the parks are under lock and key. I will have to go home.
“This is absolutely senseless, our people should realise that this is a destructive exercise that is causing economic hardship to us. It does not do the region any good. In as much as they are remembering the fallen heroes today, they should also consider the devastating effects the continuous exercise is causing on the region.”
Another resident in the state, Okwuchukwu Okoye, said that the directive by IPOB is a welcome call to respect Biafran heroes who were killed in Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi and Asaba Delta states during the Nigerian Biafra Civil War, adding that “they need to be remembered on a day like this, since the Federal Government has not taken any step to honour them and appease their souls and the souls of their mourning families.”
Also reacting to the development, a human rights activist, John Uche, said although the sit-at-home has become an ill wind that blows nobody any good, the people have found it as a way to express their grievances, but it has to be stopped immediately.
Uche called on President Bola Tinubu to listen to the cries of the Igbo and other agitators from other tribes for peaceful co-existence.
The rights advocate stressed the need for synergy between the government, security operatives and the people to help beef up security with a view to tackling the sit-at-home.
“Our people are not happy and because we are grieved, that is why we agitate. But why must we shoot ourselves with this sit-at-home that causes economic hardship to us? They should therefore devise another means to express their grievances,” he added.
Photos of The River Niger Bridge Head and ever busy Onitsha-Owerri expressway and Awka-Enugu Expressway deserted on Tuesday
